Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Samaje PerineWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Samaje Perine's 6.5 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. Samaje Perine at 6.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft James Conner higher, but do not fade Samaje Perine 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

RBKansas City Chiefs#99

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Samaje Perine

Head to Head

11.0 PPG6.5 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Samaje Perine: 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 Samaje Perine at 30%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

James Conner vs Samaje Perine: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between James Conner and Samaje Perine is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Arizona Cardinals running back put up 11.0 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; Samaje Perine of the Kansas City Chiefs averaged 6.5 in 15. A 4.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.5 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; Samaje Perine posted 285 and 2. 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 Samaje Perine Week 6. 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. Samaje Perine 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. Samaje Perine (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Samaje Perine by a projected 77 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Samaje Perine played 15 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Samaje Perine 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 Samaje Perine: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Samaje Perine
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	6.5
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	98
Rushing Yards	752	285
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	19.0
Rushing TDs	5	2
Receptions	28	24
Receiving Yards	218	182
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	6	3
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 6

Summary

11.0 PPG for James Conner versus 6.5 for Samaje Perine 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 Samaje Perine in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Samaje Perine's 6.5 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 Samaje Perine average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 4.5 points per game.

When are James Conner and Samaje Perine's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Samaje Perine (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Samaje Perine a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Samaje Perine by 4.5 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.