Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Jonathan Taylor

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jonathan Taylor outscored James Conner by 9.0 PPG in 2025 with 20 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jonathan Taylor 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

The DraftCall app pushes alerts the moment James Conner or Jonathan Taylor's status changes. Free.

Get the App

RBArizona Cardinals#99

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER

Jonathan Taylor

PPG

20.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,585

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

378

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

11.0 PPG20.0 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Jonathan Taylor at 91%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Jonathan Taylor: Who Should You Start?

Jonathan Taylor and James Conner are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Indianapolis Colts running back averaged 20.0 PPG in 2025, a full 9.0 points per game ahead of James Conner's 11.0 with the Arizona Cardinals. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

That 9.0-point weekly advantage for Jonathan Taylor 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.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while James Conner profiles as a more traditional rusher with 752 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking running backs this deep on your bench, plan your replacement running back early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jonathan Taylor 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: James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored James Conner by a projected 153 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Jonathan Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jonathan Taylor caught 46 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatConnerTaylor

PPG (Half-PPR)11.020.0

Games Played1417

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)154340

Rushing Yards7521,585

Rush Yds/Game53.793.2

Rushing TDs518

Receptions2846

Receiving Yards218378

Targets055

Total TDs620

Age-27

Experience-5 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 11Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonathan Taylor at 20.0 PPG, 9.0 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on James Conner vs Jonathan Taylor

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Conner or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 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 James Conner and Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 9.0 points per game.

Do James Conner and Jonathan Taylor share a bye week?▾

Yes, both James Conner and Jonathan Taylor share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is James Conner or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored James Conner by 9.0 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.