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Updated August 24, 2026 from live stats

Anthony Richardson or Joe BurrowWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Anthony Richardson over Joe Burrow in 2026.

Anthony Richardson averaged 19.5 PPG in 2025 to Joe Burrow's 16.8, a 2.7 point per game edge. Richardson also stayed healthier, playing 13 games to 8, which steadies his weekly floor.

The Bottom Line

Anthony Richardson is the better play on a neutral week. 19.5 PPG with 3,298 yards gives a reliable baseline. Joe Burrow at 16.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Anthony Richardson higher, but do not fade Joe Burrow entirely.

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

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QBIndianapolis ColtsPPG LEADER

Anthony Richardson

PPG

19.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,718

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

580

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

QBCincinnati Bengals#15

Joe Burrow

PPG

16.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,809

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Anthony Richardson

Joe Burrow

Head to Head

19.5 PPG16.8 PPG

13 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Anthony Richardson: Unranked QB. Joe Burrow: Tier 4 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Anthony Richardson is producing at 89% of elite pace and Joe Burrow at 76%. That per-game gap means Anthony Richardson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Anthony Richardson vs Joe Burrow: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Anthony Richardson and Joe Burrow is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback put up 19.5 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals averaged 16.8 in 8. A 2.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.7 points favors Anthony Richardson, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Anthony Richardson offers meaningful rushing upside with 580 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Joe Burrow (1809 passing yards, 17 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

One scheduling note: Anthony Richardson is off Week 14 and Joe Burrow Week 6. 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

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: Anthony Richardson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Joe Burrow (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Anthony Richardson outscored Joe Burrow by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Anthony Richardson played 13 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Anthony Richardson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Anthony Richardson scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Anthony Richardson added 580 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Anthony Richardson vs Joe Burrow: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Anthony Richardson	Joe Burrow
PPG (Half-PPR)	19.5	16.8
Games Played	13	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	254	134
Passing Yards	2,718	1,809
Passing TDs	18	17
Pass Yds/Game	209.1	226.1
Rushing Yards	580	41
Rushing TDs	7	0
Total TDs	25	17
TDs/Game	1.9	2.1
Age	-	29
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

19.5 PPG for Anthony Richardson versus 16.8 for Joe Burrow in 2025. The baseline favors Anthony Richardson, 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 Anthony Richardson or Joe Burrow in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Anthony Richardson has the edge at 19.5 PPG compared to Joe Burrow's 16.8 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.

Should I draft Anthony Richardson or Joe Burrow in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Anthony Richardson is the earlier pick. He averaged 19.5 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Joe Burrow's 16.8, a 2.7 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Anthony Richardson and Joe Burrow average in 2025?▾

Anthony Richardson averaged 19.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

When are Anthony Richardson and Joe Burrow's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Anthony Richardson (IND) has a bye in Week 14, and Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Anthony Richardson or Joe Burrow a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Anthony Richardson outscored Joe Burrow by 2.7 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.