Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aidan O'Connell vs Bryce YoungWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Bryce Young is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.6 PPG to Aidan O'Connell's 12.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Bryce Young is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Bryce Young and Aidan O'Connell are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.8-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Aidan O'Connell

PPG

12.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,650

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBCarolina Panthers#28PPG LEADER

Bryce Young

PPG

13.6

Games

Pass Yds

3,011

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

216

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Aidan O'Connell

Bryce Young

Head to Head

12.8 PPG13.6 PPG

13 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Aidan O'Connell: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Bryce Young: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aidan O'Connell is producing at 58% of elite pace and Bryce Young at 62%. That ranking gap means Bryce Young carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aidan O'Connell vs Bryce Young: The Full Breakdown

Aidan O'Connell (12.8 PPG) and Bryce Young (13.6 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Aidan O'Connell played 13 games for the Las Vegas Raiders; Bryce Young suited up 16 times for the Carolina Panthers.

A 0.8-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Aidan O'Connell threw for 2650 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Bryce Young posted 3011 yards and 23 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Aidan O'Connell sits Week 10 while Bryce Young is off Week 5. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Aidan O'Connell (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Bryce Young (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Bryce Young outscored Aidan O'Connell by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Bryce Young played 16 games in 2025 compared to Aidan O'Connell's 13. That durability gap means Bryce Young contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Bryce Young scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aidan O'Connell vs Bryce Young: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aidan O'Connell	Bryce Young
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	13.6
Games Played	13	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	166	218
Passing Yards	2,650	3,011
Passing TDs	16	23
Pass Yds/Game	203.8	188.2
Rushing Yards	68	216
Rushing TDs	0	2
Total TDs	16	25
TDs/Game	1.2	1.6
Age	-	24
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Bryce Young at 13.6 PPG, 0.8 points per game above Aidan O'Connell's 12.8. 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 Aidan O'Connell or Bryce Young in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bryce Young has the edge at 13.6 PPG compared to Aidan O'Connell's 12.8 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 Aidan O'Connell and Bryce Young average in 2025?▾

Aidan O'Connell averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Bryce Young averaged 13.6 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Aidan O'Connell and Bryce Young's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aidan O'Connell (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Bryce Young (CAR) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aidan O'Connell or Bryce Young a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Bryce Young outscored Aidan O'Connell by 0.8 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.