Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Michael CarterWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Michael Carter's 6.3 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. Michael Carter at 6.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft James Conner higher, but do not fade Michael Carter entirely.

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

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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

RBArizona Cardinals#51

Michael Carter

PPG

6.3

Games

Rush Yds

333

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

267

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Michael Carter

Head to Head

11.0 PPG6.3 PPG

14 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Michael Carter: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Michael Carter at 29%. That ranking gap means Michael Carter carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Michael Carter: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between James Conner and Michael Carter for your lineup, you are not alone. James Conner finished the 2025 season at 11.0 PPG for the Arizona Cardinals (14 games), and Michael Carter averaged 6.3 for the Arizona Cardinals (13 games).

That 4.7-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. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; Michael Carter posted 333 and 1. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

James Conner has his bye in Week 11, and Michael Carter rests in Week 14. 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. Michael Carter is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Michael Carter (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Michael Carter by a projected 80 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Michael Carter's 13. 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.
•Michael Carter caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

James Conner vs Michael Carter: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Michael Carter
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	6.3
Games Played	14	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	82
Rushing Yards	752	333
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	25.6
Rushing TDs	5	1
Receptions	28	33
Receiving Yards	218	267
Targets	0	45
Total TDs	6	1
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor James Conner at 11.0 PPG, 4.7 points per game above Michael Carter's 6.3. 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 James Conner or Michael Carter in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Michael Carter's 6.3 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 Michael Carter average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 4.7 points per game.

When are James Conner and Michael Carter's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Michael Carter (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Michael Carter a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Michael Carter by 4.7 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.