Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Kimani VidalWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Kimani Vidal's 9.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

James Conner has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.8-PPG advantage is real (11.0 to 9.2), and James Conner's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Kimani Vidal is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

RBLos Angeles Chargers#32

Kimani Vidal

PPG

9.2

Games

Rush Yds

643

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

136

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Kimani Vidal

Head to Head

11.0 PPG9.2 PPG

14 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Kimani Vidal: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #32 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Kimani Vidal at 42%. That ranking gap means Kimani Vidal carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Kimani Vidal: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) finished the 2025 season averaging 11.0 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Kimani Vidal (Los Angeles Chargers) came in at 9.2 PPG over 12 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

James Conner carries a 1.8-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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; Kimani Vidal posted 643 and 3. 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: James Conner sits Week 11 while Kimani Vidal is off Week 7. 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

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. Kimani Vidal (age 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Kimani Vidal by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Kimani Vidal's 12. 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

James Conner vs Kimani Vidal: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Kimani Vidal
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	9.2
Games Played	14	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	110
Rushing Yards	752	643
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	53.6
Rushing TDs	5	3
Receptions	28	16
Receiving Yards	218	136
Targets	0	22
Total TDs	6	4
Age	-	24
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Conner holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.0 points per game. Kimani Vidal averaged 9.2 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 James Conner or Kimani Vidal in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Kimani Vidal's 9.2 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 Kimani Vidal average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Kimani Vidal averaged 9.2 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are James Conner and Kimani Vidal's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Kimani Vidal (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Kimani Vidal a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Kimani Vidal by 1.8 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.