Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Devin Neal vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Devin Neal's 5.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. James Conner outscored Devin Neal by 5.3 PPG in 2025 with 6 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, James Conner is the clear pick. Devin Neal profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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RBNew Orleans Saints#57

Devin Neal

PPG

5.7

Games

Rush Yds

206

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

104

Bye

Week 8

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

Devin Neal

James Conner

Head to Head

5.7 PPG11.0 PPG

9 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Devin Neal: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #57 at the position). James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Devin Neal is producing at 26% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means Devin Neal carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Devin Neal vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Devin Neal and James Conner for your lineup, you are not alone. Devin Neal finished the 2025 season at 5.7 PPG for the New Orleans Saints (9 games), and James Conner averaged 11.0 for the Arizona Cardinals (14 games).

That 5.3-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. Devin Neal ran for 206 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.

Devin Neal has his bye in Week 8, and James Conner rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

James Conner is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Devin Neal is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Devin Neal (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Devin Neal by a projected 90 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Devin Neal's 9. That durability gap means James Conner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•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

Devin Neal vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Devin Neal	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.7	11.0
Games Played	9	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	51	154
Rushing Yards	206	752
Rush Yds/Game	22.9	53.7
Rushing TDs	2	5
Receptions	17	28
Receiving Yards	104	218
Targets	19	0
Total TDs	2	6
Age	22	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor James Conner at 11.0 PPG, 5.3 points per game above Devin Neal's 5.7. 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 Devin Neal or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Devin Neal's 5.7 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 Devin Neal and James Conner average in 2025?▾

Devin Neal averaged 5.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.3 points per game.

When are Devin Neal and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Devin Neal (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Devin Neal or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Devin Neal by 5.3 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.