Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Cooper RushWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Cooper Rush's 11.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy play this season.

Baker Mayfield has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.9-PPG advantage is real (16.0 to 11.1), and Baker Mayfield's 27 touchdowns show scoring upside. Cooper Rush is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Baker Mayfield and Cooper Rush in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19PPG LEADER

Baker Mayfield

PPG

16.0

Games

Pass Yds

3,693

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBDallas Cowboys#99

Cooper Rush

PPG

11.1

Games

Pass Yds

1,985

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

Cooper Rush

Head to Head

16.0 PPG11.1 PPG

17 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Cooper Rush: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and Cooper Rush at 50%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Cooper Rush: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) finished the 2025 season averaging 16.0 fantasy points per game in 17 games. Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys) came in at 11.1 PPG over 10 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Baker Mayfield carries a 4.9-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Baker Mayfield threw for 3693 yards and 26 touchdowns, while Cooper Rush posted 1985 yards and 12 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Baker Mayfield is off Week 10 and Cooper Rush 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

If you can acquire Baker Mayfield at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Cooper Rush is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Baker Mayfield (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Cooper Rush (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Baker Mayfield outscored Cooper Rush by a projected 83 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Rush's 10. That durability gap means Baker Mayfield contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Baker Mayfield scored 27 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Baker Mayfield added 382 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Baker Mayfield vs Cooper Rush: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Cooper Rush
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	11.1
Games Played	17	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	111
Passing Yards	3,693	1,985
Passing TDs	26	12
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	198.5
Rushing Yards	382	28
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	27	12
TDs/Game	1.6	1.2
Age	31	-
Experience	7 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Baker Mayfield holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.0 points per game. Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Baker Mayfield vs Cooper Rush

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Baker Mayfield vs Cooper Rush

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Baker Mayfield or Cooper Rush in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Cooper Rush's 11.1 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 Baker Mayfield and Cooper Rush average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 4.9 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and Cooper Rush's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Cooper Rush (DAL) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Baker Mayfield or Cooper Rush a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield outscored Cooper Rush by 4.9 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.