Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Kenneth Walker IIIWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Kenneth Walker III's 10.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, James Conner and Kenneth Walker III are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track James Conner and Kenneth Walker III in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

RBSeattle Seahawks#29

Kenneth Walker III

PPG

10.4

Games

Rush Yds

1,027

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

282

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Kenneth Walker III

Head to Head

11.0 PPG10.4 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Kenneth Walker III: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Kenneth Walker III at 47%. That ranking gap means Kenneth Walker III carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Kenneth Walker III: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. James Conner finished the 2025 season at 11.0 PPG over 14 games with the Arizona Cardinals, while Kenneth Walker III clocked in at 10.4 across 17 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks. A 0.6-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; Kenneth Walker III posted 1027 and 5. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking running backs this deep on your bench, plan your replacement running back early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Kenneth Walker III (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Kenneth Walker III by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Walker III played 17 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Kenneth Walker III 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.
•Kenneth Walker III caught 31 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

James Conner vs Kenneth Walker III: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Kenneth Walker III
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	10.4
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	177
Rushing Yards	752	1,027
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	60.4
Rushing TDs	5	5
Receptions	28	31
Receiving Yards	218	282
Targets	0	36
Total TDs	6	5
Age	-	25
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

11.0 PPG for James Conner versus 10.4 for Kenneth Walker III in 2025. The baseline favors James Conner, 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on James Conner vs Kenneth Walker III

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on James Conner vs Kenneth Walker III

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Conner or Kenneth Walker III in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Kenneth Walker III's 10.4 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 James Conner and Kenneth Walker III average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Kenneth Walker III averaged 10.4 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

Do James Conner and Kenneth Walker III share a bye week?▾

Yes, both James Conner and Kenneth Walker III share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is James Conner or Kenneth Walker III a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Kenneth Walker III by 0.6 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.