Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Kyler MurrayWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.6 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Kyler Murray outscored Andy Dalton by 5.8 PPG in 2025 with 7 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Kyler Murray is the clear pick. Andy Dalton profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBCarolina Panthers#99

Andy Dalton

PPG

9.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,925

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBArizona Cardinals#22PPG LEADER

Kyler Murray

PPG

15.6

Games

Pass Yds

962

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

173

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Kyler Murray

Head to Head

9.8 PPG15.6 PPG

10 GP5 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Kyler Murray: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and Kyler Murray at 71%. That ranking gap means Kyler Murray carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Andy Dalton vs Kyler Murray: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Andy Dalton and Kyler Murray for your lineup, you are not alone. Andy Dalton finished the 2025 season at 9.8 PPG for the Carolina Panthers (10 games), and Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 for the Arizona Cardinals (5 games).

That 5.8-point weekly advantage for Kyler Murray 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. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Kyler Murray posted 962 yards and 6 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Andy Dalton has his bye in Week 11, and Kyler Murray rests in Week 14. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Kyler Murray is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Andy Dalton is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Andy Dalton (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Kyler Murray (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Kyler Murray outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 99 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Andy Dalton played 10 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray's 5. That durability gap means Andy Dalton contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Andy Dalton scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs Kyler Murray: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Kyler Murray
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	15.6
Games Played	10	5
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	78
Passing Yards	1,925	962
Passing TDs	10	6
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	192.4
Rushing Yards	42	173
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	10	7
TDs/Game	1.0	1.4
Age	-	28
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kyler Murray at 15.6 PPG, 5.8 points per game above Andy Dalton's 9.8. 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 Andy Dalton or Kyler Murray in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyler Murray has the edge at 15.6 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 Kyler Murray average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 PPG over 5 games. That is a difference of 5.8 points per game.

When are Andy Dalton and Kyler Murray's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Andy Dalton (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Kyler Murray (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Andy Dalton or Kyler Murray a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kyler Murray outscored Andy Dalton by 5.8 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.