Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Chase Brown vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Chase Brown is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.6 PPG to James Conner's 11.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Chase Brown is the better fantasy play this season.

Chase Brown is the better play on a neutral week. 14.6 PPG with 1,456 yards gives a reliable baseline. James Conner at 11.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Chase Brown higher, but do not fade James Conner entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBCincinnati Bengals#9PPG LEADER

Chase Brown

PPG

14.6

Games

Rush Yds

1,019

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

437

Bye

Week 6

RBArizona Cardinals#99

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Chase Brown

James Conner

Head to Head

14.6 PPG11.0 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Chase Brown: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #9 at the position). James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Chase Brown is producing at 66% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means Chase Brown carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Chase Brown vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Chase Brown and James Conner is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Cincinnati Bengals running back put up 14.6 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; James Conner of the Arizona Cardinals averaged 11.0 in 14. A 3.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.6 points favors Chase Brown, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Chase Brown is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 69 targets into 437 yards, while James Conner profiles as a more traditional rusher with 752 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Chase Brown carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Chase Brown sits Week 6 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

Chase Brown is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. James Conner is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Chase Brown (age 26) 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?

•Chase Brown outscored James Conner by a projected 61 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Chase Brown played 17 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Chase Brown contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Chase Brown scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Chase Brown caught 69 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chase Brown vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Chase Brown	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.6	11.0
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	248	154
Rushing Yards	1,019	752
Rush Yds/Game	59.9	53.7
Rushing TDs	6	5
Receptions	69	28
Receiving Yards	437	218
Targets	88	0
Total TDs	11	6
Age	26	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

14.6 PPG for Chase Brown versus 11.0 for James Conner in 2025. The baseline favors Chase Brown, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Chase Brown or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Chase Brown has the edge at 14.6 PPG compared to James Conner's 11.0 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 Chase Brown and James Conner average in 2025?▾

Chase Brown averaged 14.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.6 points per game.

When are Chase Brown and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Chase Brown (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Chase Brown or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Chase Brown outscored James Conner by 3.6 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.