Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Raheim SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 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 Raheim Sanders by 6.3 PPG in 2025 with 6 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, James Conner is the clear pick. Raheim Sanders 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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RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

RBCleveland Browns#99

Raheim Sanders

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Raheim Sanders

Head to Head

11.0 PPG4.7 PPG

14 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Raheim Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Raheim Sanders at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

James Conner vs Raheim Sanders: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games in 2025, outscoring Raheim Sanders (Cleveland Browns, 4.7 PPG) by 6.3 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 6.3 points favors James Conner, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; Raheim Sanders posted 92 and 1. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: James Conner is off Week 11 and Raheim Sanders Week 10. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

James Conner is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Raheim Sanders 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. Raheim Sanders (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Raheim Sanders by a projected 107 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Raheim Sanders's 4. 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 Raheim Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Raheim Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	4.7
Games Played	14	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	19
Rushing Yards	752	92
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	23.0
Rushing TDs	5	1
Receptions	28	3
Receiving Yards	218	21
Targets	0	4
Total TDs	6	1
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 10

Summary

11.0 PPG for James Conner versus 4.7 for Raheim Sanders 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Conner or Raheim Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 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 James Conner and Raheim Sanders average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Raheim Sanders averaged 4.7 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 6.3 points per game.

When are James Conner and Raheim Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Raheim Sanders (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Raheim Sanders a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Raheim Sanders by 6.3 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.