Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Zach CharbonnetWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Zach Charbonnet's 10.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, James Conner and Zach Charbonnet are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

RBSeattle Seahawks#28

Zach Charbonnet

PPG

10.7

Games

Rush Yds

730

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

144

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Zach Charbonnet

Head to Head

11.0 PPG10.7 PPG

14 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Zach Charbonnet: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Zach Charbonnet at 49%. That ranking gap means Zach Charbonnet carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Zach Charbonnet: The Full Breakdown

The gap between James Conner and Zach Charbonnet is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.3 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG with the Arizona Cardinals across 14 games, and Zach Charbonnet posted 10.7 with the Seattle Seahawks in 16.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; Zach Charbonnet posted 730 and 12. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking running backs this deep on your bench, plan your replacement running back early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Zach Charbonnet (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Zach Charbonnet by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Zach Charbonnet played 16 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Zach Charbonnet contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Zach Charbonnet scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

James Conner vs Zach Charbonnet: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Zach Charbonnet
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	10.7
Games Played	14	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	171
Rushing Yards	752	730
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	45.6
Rushing TDs	5	12
Receptions	28	20
Receiving Yards	218	144
Targets	0	24
Total TDs	6	12
Age	-	25
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor James Conner at 11.0 PPG, 0.3 points per game above Zach Charbonnet's 10.7. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Conner or Zach Charbonnet in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Zach Charbonnet's 10.7 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did James Conner and Zach Charbonnet average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Zach Charbonnet averaged 10.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

Do James Conner and Zach Charbonnet share a bye week?▾

Yes, both James Conner and Zach Charbonnet share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is James Conner or Zach Charbonnet a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Zach Charbonnet by 0.3 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.