Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Jonathan TaylorWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.0 PPG to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonathan Taylor is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 20.0 PPG and 1,963 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Austin Ekeler (9.0 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jonathan Taylor as the starter and Austin Ekeler as depth.

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

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RBWashington Commanders#99

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER

Jonathan Taylor

PPG

20.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,585

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

378

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

9.0 PPG20.0 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Jonathan Taylor at 91%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Jonathan Taylor: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Austin Ekeler (Washington Commanders, 9.0 PPG) by 11.0 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

Jonathan Taylor carries a 11.0-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both are three-down backs with real passing-game roles. Austin Ekeler caught 45 balls for 360 yards, and Jonathan Taylor hauled in 46 for 378. That receiving workload gives them high PPR floors even in games where the ground attack gets stuffed, and it is why both stay on the field in obvious passing situations.

One scheduling note: Austin Ekeler is off Week 14 and Jonathan Taylor Week 13. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

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

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored Austin Ekeler by a projected 187 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Jonathan Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jonathan Taylor caught 46 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Ekeler vs Jonathan Taylor: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Jonathan Taylor
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	20.0
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	340
Rushing Yards	425	1,585
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	93.2
Rushing TDs	3	18
Receptions	45	46
Receiving Yards	360	378
Targets	0	55
Total TDs	5	20
Age	-	27
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jonathan Taylor holds the PPG edge with strong output at 20.0 points per game. Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Ekeler or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 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 Austin Ekeler and Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 11.0 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Jonathan Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Austin Ekeler by 11.0 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.