Ekeler
RB · WAS vs PHI
Kickoff Sun 8:20 PM ET
Projected points6.5ptsUsage estimate
Sampson
RB · CLE @ PIT
Kickoff Sun 1:00 PM ETNo game status yet, practice Full
Projected points6.3pts
Toss-up
Bench
Austin Ekeler or Dylan Sampson: Who Should I Start in Week 8?
Toss-up. Austin Ekeler gets the nod over Dylan Sampson.
- Ahead by
- +0.2pts
- over Sampson
- Confidence
- Lower
- The two projections come from different sources; one is a Nuvela estimate
Ekeler's number is our own estimate because his prop lines aren't posted yet, so this call is less sure than the gap looks.
Case for Sampson
The case for Sampson is more of the snaps (23% to 16%) and a faster paced opponent.
Flips if
Start Dylan Sampson instead if you want more of the snaps (23% to 16%).
Risk
Dylan Sampson has played 1 game since missing time, so his recent numbers lean on his 2025 games.
Highlights
EkelerToss-upRB · WAS vs PHIUsually 6.2+0.3pts this week
Helps him
- +4.1ptstrack recordHis projection also weighs his past seasons, which ran above this year’s pace.
- −6.0spreadEdgeHis team is expected to lead, which tends to mean more carries late.
Hurts him
- −2.3ptsgames left hurtHis projection still counts the games he left hurt, which his usual week leaves out.
- −1.2ptsrecent workHis work has dropped off in his last few games.
- 9%touchesHe handles only 9% of his team’s touches, so the work is shared.
- 2nd toughestper carryEdgePHI allows plenty of RB chances because teams run on them a lot; per carry or target they’re tough (0.72 pts, 2nd toughest).
SampsonFirst outRB · CLE @ PITUsually 9.6−3.3pts this week
Helps him
- +0.5ptscatchesHis lines put him at 2.5 catches, above his usual 2.0.
Hurts him
- −1.4pts2 linesRushing yards 12.5 (usual 21.1) and receiving yards 16.5 (usual 21.2) both sit below his usual.
Points are what each line adds to or takes off his usual week. EdgeFrom the game around him.
Stat comparison
Every player you picked, stat by stat, most important first.
Stat
Scoring
ProjectionEkeler: 6.5 (best)Sampson: 6.3
TD pointsof the projectionEkeler: Our estimateSampson: 0.9
Expected TDsthis weekEkeler: Our estimateSampson: 0.15
Projected team pointsEkeler: 23.0 (best)Sampson: 18.0
Goal line carriesper gameEkeler: 0.0Sampson: 0.0
Red zone carriesper gameEkeler: 0.7 (best)Sampson: 0.0
Red zone targetsper gameEkeler: 0.3 (best)Sampson: 0.0
Role
Snap shareEkeler: 16%Sampson: 23% (best)
Usage worthptsEkeler: 4.0 (best)Sampson: 3.5
Touch shareEkeler: 9%Sampson: 10% (best)
Target shareEkeler: 5%Sampson: 5%
Touches / gameEkeler: 4.0Sampson: 4.5 (best)
Targets / gameEkeler: 1.7 (best)Sampson: 1.5
Vacated touches this weekEkeler: 14.8 (best)Sampson: 4.2
High value touches / gameEkeler: 1.3Sampson: 1.5 (best)
Goal line carry shareEkeler: 0%Sampson: 0%
Red zone touches / gameEkeler: 1.0 (best)Sampson: 0.0
Rush success rateEkeler: 38%Sampson: 67% (best)
Breakaway rate (20+ yd runs)Ekeler: 0%Sampson: 0%
Usage worth vs scoredEkeler: Earned by usage 4.0Scored 3.4Sampson: Earned by usage 3.5Scored 5.3
Rush yards / gameEkeler: 10.3Sampson: 22.5 (best)
Points from rushingEkeler: 31%Sampson: 42%
WOPREkeler: 0.07 (best)Sampson: 0.05
RZ target shareEkeler: 14% (best)Sampson: 0%
Inside 10 target shareEkeler: 0%Sampson: 0%
Catch rateEkeler: 80%Sampson: 3 targets
Rushing points / gameEkeler: 1.0 pts / gameSampson: 2.2 pts / game (best)
Rushing floorEkeler: 1.0 pts / gameSampson: 2.2 pts / game (best)
Range
FloorEkeler: 3.9Sampson: 4.1 (best)
CeilingEkeler: 10.1Sampson: 10.2 (best)
Points from TDssteadier when lowerEkeler: 0%Sampson: 0%
Big weeks (20+ pts)Ekeler: 3 gamesSampson: 0%
Dud weeks (under 8 pts)lower is betterEkeler: 3 gamesSampson: 34%
SteadinessEkeler: 3 gamesSampson: Steady±5.2 pts
Matchup
Matchup gradevs his position · 2026, 7 gmEkeler: C- (best)Sampson: D
Game scriptEkeler: Expected to lead (best)Sampson: Expected to trail
Opp takeaways / gamelower is betterEkeler: 0.4 (best)Sampson: 1.6
Defense funnelEkeler: NeutralSampson: Neutral
Opp rush yds allowedEkeler: 27th (soft) (best)Sampson: 7th (tough)
Backfield roleEkeler: BackupSampson: Backup
Opp defender outEkeler: None listedSampson: Joseph-Day (DT)
Roof / surfacegrassEkeler: OpenSampson: Open
Rest / scheduleEkeler: Off a byeSampson: Normal
Opp paceEkeler: 27th (slow)Sampson: 13th (average) (best)
Opp stuff rateEkeler: 16% (best)22nd (soft)Sampson: 23%3rd (tough)
Opp yards per carry allowedEkeler: 4.3 (best)21st (average)Sampson: 3.64th (tough)
Opp pass yds allowedEkeler: 24th (soft) (best)Sampson: 13th (average)
Opp deep targets allowed / game1st (tough)Ekeler: 0.0Sampson: 0.0
Opp catch rate allowedEkeler: 72%9th (tough)Sampson: 78% (best)15th (average)
Starting QBEkeler: Daniels (Active)Sampson: Watson (Active)
Form
Last 3 avgEkeler: 3.4Sampson: 2 games
Last 5 avgEkeler: 3.4Sampson: 2 games
vs seasonEkeler: CoolingSampson: 0.0
Yards per carryEkeler: 3.9Sampson: 7.5 (best)
Carries / gameEkeler: 2.7Sampson: 3.0 (best)
Yards per route runEkeler: 2.31 (best)Sampson: 2.13
Receiving aDOTEkeler: −2.4Sampson: 3 targets
Games since injuryEkeler: None recentlySampson: 1
Crowd
Nuvela position ranklower is betterEkeler: RB35 (best)Sampson: RB37
Yards linerushingEkeler: Our estimateSampson: 12.5
Deciding on someone else?
Choose 2 to 5 players for any week.