Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aidan O'Connell vs Jayden DanielsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.3 PPG to Aidan O'Connell's 12.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy play this season.

Jayden Daniels is the better play on a neutral week. 16.3 PPG with 1,540 yards gives a reliable baseline. Aidan O'Connell at 12.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jayden Daniels higher, but do not fade Aidan O'Connell entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Aidan O'Connell

PPG

12.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,650

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBWashington Commanders#17PPG LEADER

Jayden Daniels

PPG

16.3

Games

Pass Yds

1,262

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

278

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Aidan O'Connell

Jayden Daniels

Head to Head

12.8 PPG16.3 PPG

13 GP7 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Aidan O'Connell: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Jayden Daniels: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #17 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aidan O'Connell is producing at 58% of elite pace and Jayden Daniels at 74%. That ranking gap means Jayden Daniels carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aidan O'Connell vs Jayden Daniels: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Aidan O'Connell and Jayden Daniels for your lineup, you are not alone. Aidan O'Connell finished the 2025 season at 12.8 PPG for the Las Vegas Raiders (13 games), and Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 for the Washington Commanders (7 games).

That 3.5-point weekly advantage for Jayden Daniels 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.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Aidan O'Connell threw for 2650 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Jayden Daniels posted 1262 yards and 8 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Aidan O'Connell is off Week 10 and Jayden Daniels Week 7. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jayden Daniels is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Aidan O'Connell is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Aidan O'Connell (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Jayden Daniels (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Jayden Daniels outscored Aidan O'Connell by a projected 60 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Aidan O'Connell played 13 games in 2025 compared to Jayden Daniels's 7. That durability gap means Aidan O'Connell contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Aidan O'Connell scored 16 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aidan O'Connell vs Jayden Daniels: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aidan O'Connell	Jayden Daniels
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	16.3
Games Played	13	7
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	166	114
Passing Yards	2,650	1,262
Passing TDs	16	8
Pass Yds/Game	203.8	180.3
Rushing Yards	68	278
Rushing TDs	0	2
Total TDs	16	10
TDs/Game	1.2	1.4
Age	-	25
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jayden Daniels at 16.3 PPG, 3.5 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 Jayden Daniels in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jayden Daniels has the edge at 16.3 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 Jayden Daniels average in 2025?▾

Aidan O'Connell averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 PPG over 7 games. That is a difference of 3.5 points per game.

When are Aidan O'Connell and Jayden Daniels's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aidan O'Connell (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Jayden Daniels (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aidan O'Connell or Jayden Daniels a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels outscored Aidan O'Connell by 3.5 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.