Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Jameis WinstonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jameis Winston is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jameis Winston is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-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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QBCarolina Panthers#99

Andy Dalton

PPG

9.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,925

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBCleveland Browns#99PPG LEADER

Jameis Winston

PPG

10.9

Games

Pass Yds

2,125

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Jameis Winston

Head to Head

9.8 PPG10.9 PPG

10 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Jameis Winston: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and Jameis Winston at 50%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Andy Dalton vs Jameis Winston: The Full Breakdown

Andy Dalton (9.8 PPG) and Jameis Winston (10.9 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. Andy Dalton played 10 games for the Carolina Panthers; Jameis Winston suited up 10 times for the Cleveland Browns.

A 1.1-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. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Jameis Winston posted 2125 yards and 13 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: Andy Dalton sits Week 11 while Jameis Winston is off Week 10. 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: Andy Dalton (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Jameis Winston (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Jameis Winston outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jameis Winston scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs Jameis Winston: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Jameis Winston
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	10.9
Games Played	10	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	109
Passing Yards	1,925	2,125
Passing TDs	10	13
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	212.5
Rushing Yards	42	45
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	10	14
TDs/Game	1.0	1.4
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 10

Summary

10.9 PPG for Jameis Winston versus 9.8 for Andy Dalton in 2025. The baseline favors Jameis Winston, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Andy Dalton or Jameis Winston in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jameis Winston has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to Andy Dalton's 9.8 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 Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Jameis Winston averaged 10.9 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Andy Dalton (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Jameis Winston (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Andy Dalton or Jameis Winston a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jameis Winston outscored Andy Dalton by 1.1 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.