Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jahmyr Gibbs vs James Conner

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Jahmyr Gibbs is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jahmyr Gibbs outscored James Conner by 8.3 PPG in 2025 with 18 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jahmyr Gibbs is the clear pick. James Conner 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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RBDetroit Lions#4PPG LEADER

Jahmyr Gibbs

PPG

19.3

Games

Rush Yds

1,223

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

616

Bye

Week 8

RBArizona Cardinals#99

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Jahmyr Gibbs

James Conner

Head to Head

19.3 PPG11.0 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jahmyr Gibbs: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #4 at the position). James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jahmyr Gibbs is producing at 88% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means Jahmyr Gibbs carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jahmyr Gibbs vs James Conner: Who Should You Start?

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions) averaged 19.3 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring James Conner (Arizona Cardinals, 11.0 PPG) by 8.3 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 8.3-point weekly advantage for Jahmyr Gibbs 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.

Jahmyr Gibbs is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 77 targets into 616 yards, while James Conner profiles as a more traditional rusher with 752 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jahmyr Gibbs carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Jahmyr Gibbs is off Week 8 and James Conner Week 11. 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

Jahmyr Gibbs is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. James Conner is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jahmyr Gibbs (age 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jahmyr Gibbs outscored James Conner by a projected 141 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jahmyr Gibbs played 17 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Jahmyr Gibbs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jahmyr Gibbs scored 18 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jahmyr Gibbs caught 77 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatGibbsConner

PPG (Half-PPR)19.311.0

Games Played1714

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)328154

Rushing Yards1,223752

Rush Yds/Game71.953.7

Rushing TDs135

Receptions7728

Receiving Yards616218

Targets940

Total TDs186

Age24-

Experience2 yrs-

Bye WeekWeek 8Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jahmyr Gibbs at 19.3 PPG, 8.3 points per game above James Conner's 11.0. 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 Jahmyr Gibbs or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jahmyr Gibbs has the edge at 19.3 PPG compared to James Conner's 11.0 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 Jahmyr Gibbs and James Conner average in 2025?▾

Jahmyr Gibbs averaged 19.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 8.3 points per game.

When are Jahmyr Gibbs and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jahmyr Gibbs (DET) has a bye in Week 8, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jahmyr Gibbs or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jahmyr Gibbs outscored James Conner by 8.3 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.