Austin Ekeler · Raheim Sanders · 2026 week 5

Austin Ekeler or Raheim Sanders?

Wondering who you should start this week — Austin Ekeler or Raheim Sanders? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start Raheim Sanders — barelyThis one is a coin flip — the projections are within 0.9 points. The matchup leans Raheim Sanders (NYJ allow the 4th-most RB points), but you can defend either call.

Player	Wk 5	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Austin Ekeler	vs NYG	4.7	16th	5	–	healthy
Raheim Sanders START	@ NYJ	5.6	4th · soft	4.9	–	healthy

RBs vs NYG recently: Kyren Williams 13.7 pts (W2) · Tony Pollard 9.6 pts (W3) · Tyler Allgeier 10.9 pts (W4).

RBs vs NYJ recently: MarShawn Lloyd 6.6 pts (W2) · Jahmyr Gibbs 34.4 pts (W3) · Kyle Monangai 27 pts (W4).

🎓 The coach's read

Projections are 0.9 apart — too close to call on projection alone.
Raheim Sanders has the higher floor (2) — the safer start if you are favoured.
Austin Ekeler has the higher ceiling (11.2) — the play if you need points.
Raheim Sanders is steady — about 25% less volatile week to week than a typical RB projected here — higher floor, lower ceiling.
Austin Ekeler faces NYG, 16th most generous to RBs.
Raheim Sanders faces NYJ, 4th most generous to RBs.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Their trade values are effectively even — a one-for-one is a fair swap on the numbers.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More RB decisions

Austin Ekeler or Tyler Badie?Austin Ekeler or Tyler Goodson?Austin Ekeler or Sione Vaki?Raheim Sanders or Sione Vaki?Raheim Sanders or Ty Johnson?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.