Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Deshaun WatsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 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 3.8-PPG advantage is real (16.0 to 12.2), and Baker Mayfield's 27 touchdowns show scoring upside. Deshaun Watson 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.

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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

QBCleveland Browns#99

Deshaun Watson

PPG

12.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,105

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

185

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

Deshaun Watson

Head to Head

16.0 PPG12.2 PPG

17 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Deshaun Watson: 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 Deshaun Watson at 55%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Deshaun Watson: The Full Breakdown

Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 PPG across 17 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Deshaun Watson posted 12.2 PPG in 11 appearances for the Cleveland Browns.

A 3.8-PPG gap gives Baker Mayfield the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Baker Mayfield threw for 3693 yards and 26 touchdowns, while Deshaun Watson posted 2105 yards and 12 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 10 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

If you can acquire Baker Mayfield at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Deshaun Watson 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. Deshaun Watson (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 Deshaun Watson by a projected 65 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Deshaun Watson's 11. 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.
•Both players share a Week 10 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Baker Mayfield vs Deshaun Watson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Deshaun Watson
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	12.2
Games Played	17	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	134
Passing Yards	3,693	2,105
Passing TDs	26	12
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	191.4
Rushing Yards	382	185
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	27	14
TDs/Game	1.6	1.3
Age	31	-
Experience	7 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 10

Summary

Baker Mayfield outscored Deshaun Watson by 3.8 PPG in 2025 (16.0 to 12.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Baker Mayfield or Deshaun Watson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 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 Deshaun Watson average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 3.8 points per game.

Do Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson share a Week 10 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Baker Mayfield or Deshaun Watson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield outscored Deshaun Watson by 3.8 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.