Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Chris Rodriguez Jr.'s 7.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

James Conner is the better play on a neutral week. 11.0 PPG with 970 yards gives a reliable baseline. Chris Rodriguez Jr. at 7.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft James Conner higher, but do not fade Chris Rodriguez Jr. entirely.

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

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RBWashington Commanders#43

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

PPG

7.5

Games

Rush Yds

500

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 7

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

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

James Conner

Head to Head

7.5 PPG11.0 PPG

12 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Chris Rodriguez Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #43 at the position). James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Chris Rodriguez Jr. is producing at 34% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means Chris Rodriguez Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Chris Rodriguez Jr. and James Conner for your lineup, you are not alone. Chris Rodriguez Jr. finished the 2025 season at 7.5 PPG for the Washington Commanders (12 games), and James Conner averaged 11.0 for the Arizona Cardinals (14 games).

That 3.5-point weekly advantage for James Conner is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran for 500 yards and 6 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: Chris Rodriguez Jr. sits Week 7 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

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

•James Conner outscored Chris Rodriguez Jr. by a projected 60 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Chris Rodriguez Jr.'s 12. That durability gap means James Conner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Chris Rodriguez Jr. scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Chris Rodriguez Jr.	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.5	11.0
Games Played	12	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	90	154
Rushing Yards	500	752
Rush Yds/Game	41.7	53.7
Rushing TDs	6	5
Receptions	3	28
Receiving Yards	30	218
Targets	4	0
Total TDs	6	6
Age	26	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor James Conner at 11.0 PPG, 3.5 points per game above Chris Rodriguez Jr.'s 7.5. 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 Chris Rodriguez Jr. or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Chris Rodriguez Jr.'s 7.5 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 Chris Rodriguez Jr. and James Conner average in 2025?▾

Chris Rodriguez Jr. averaged 7.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.5 points per game.

When are Chris Rodriguez Jr. and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Chris Rodriguez Jr. or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Chris Rodriguez Jr. by 3.5 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.