Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Shedeur Sanders is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.6 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Shedeur Sanders is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Shedeur Sanders edges Andy Dalton by 0.8 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Shedeur Sanders goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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#40PPG LEADER

Shedeur Sanders

PPG

10.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,400

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

169

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

9.8 PPG10.6 PPG

10 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Shedeur Sanders carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Andy Dalton vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Andy Dalton and Shedeur Sanders is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.8 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 PPG with the Carolina Panthers across 10 games, and Shedeur Sanders posted 10.6 with the Cleveland Browns in 8.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 11 bye. That means you need a backup plan at quarterback for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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. Shedeur Sanders (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?

•Shedeur Sanders outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Andy Dalton played 10 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders's 8. 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.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	10.6
Games Played	10	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	85
Passing Yards	1,925	1,400
Passing TDs	10	7
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	175.0
Rushing Yards	42	169
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	10	8
TDs/Game	1.0	1.0
Age	-	24
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Shedeur Sanders holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.6 points per game. Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Andy Dalton or Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Shedeur Sanders has the edge at 10.6 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 Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

Do Andy Dalton and Shedeur Sanders share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Andy Dalton and Shedeur Sanders share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Andy Dalton or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Shedeur Sanders outscored Andy Dalton 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.