Head to Head

Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Alexander Mattison vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start James Conner over Alexander Mattison in 2026.

James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG in 2025 to Alexander Mattison's 5.3, a 5.7 point per game edge. Both play running backs, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 11.0 PPG and 970 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Alexander Mattison (5.3 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster James Conner as the starter and Alexander Mattison as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Alexander Mattison

PPG

5.3

Games

Rush Yds

255

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 10

RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Alexander Mattison

James Conner

Head to Head

5.3 PPG11.0 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Alexander Mattison: Unranked RB. James Conner: Unranked RB. Among the top 50 running backs this season, Alexander Mattison is producing at 24% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Alexander Mattison vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

Alexander Mattison and James Conner are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Alexander Mattison averaged 5.3 PPG across 14 games with the Las Vegas Raiders, while James Conner posted 11.0 PPG in 14 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 5.7-PPG gap gives James Conner the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Alexander Mattison ran for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns; James Conner posted 752 and 5. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Alexander Mattison sits Week 10 while James Conner is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire James Conner at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Alexander Mattison is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Alexander Mattison (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Alexander Mattison by a projected 97 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Alexander Mattison vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Alexander Mattison	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.3	11.0
Games Played	14	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	74	154
Rushing Yards	255	752
Rush Yds/Game	18.2	53.7
Rushing TDs	2	5
Receptions	14	28
Receiving Yards	95	218
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	2	6
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

James Conner outscored Alexander Mattison by 5.7 PPG in 2025 (11.0 to 5.3). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Alexander Mattison or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Alexander Mattison's 5.3 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 Alexander Mattison and James Conner average in 2025?▾

Alexander Mattison averaged 5.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.7 points per game.

When are Alexander Mattison and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alexander Mattison (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alexander Mattison or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Alexander Mattison by 5.7 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.