Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Josh JacobsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.6 PPG to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy play this season.

Josh Jacobs is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 14.6 PPG and 1,211 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 Josh Jacobs 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

RBGreen Bay Packers#8PPG LEADER

Josh Jacobs

PPG

14.6

Games

Rush Yds

929

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

282

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Josh Jacobs

Head to Head

9.0 PPG14.6 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Josh Jacobs: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #8 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Josh Jacobs at 66%. That ranking gap means Josh Jacobs carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Josh Jacobs: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Austin Ekeler (Washington Commanders) finished the 2025 season averaging 9.0 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) came in at 14.6 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Josh Jacobs carries a 5.6-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.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Josh Jacobs profiles as a more traditional rusher with 929 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Austin Ekeler carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Austin Ekeler sits Week 14 while Josh Jacobs 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 Josh Jacobs 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. Josh Jacobs (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Josh Jacobs outscored Austin Ekeler by a projected 95 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Jacobs played 15 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Josh Jacobs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Josh Jacobs scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Austin Ekeler caught 45 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 Josh Jacobs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Josh Jacobs
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	14.6
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	219
Rushing Yards	425	929
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	61.9
Rushing TDs	3	13
Receptions	45	36
Receiving Yards	360	282
Targets	0	44
Total TDs	5	14
Age	-	28
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Josh Jacobs holds the PPG edge with solid output at 14.6 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 Josh Jacobs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Josh Jacobs has the edge at 14.6 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 Josh Jacobs average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 5.6 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Josh Jacobs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Josh Jacobs (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or Josh Jacobs a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Josh Jacobs outscored Austin Ekeler by 5.6 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.