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Head to Head

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Baker Mayfield vs Jameis WinstonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Jameis Winston's 10.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Baker Mayfield outscored Jameis Winston by 5.1 PPG in 2025 with 27 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Baker Mayfield is the clear pick. Jameis Winston 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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QBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19PPG LEADER
Baker Mayfield
PPG
16.0
Games
17
Pass Yds
3,693
Pass TDs
26
Rush Yds
382
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 10
QBCleveland Browns#99
Jameis Winston
PPG
10.9
Games
10
Pass Yds
2,125
Pass TDs
13
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Baker Mayfield
Jameis Winston

Head to Head

16.0 PPG10.9 PPG
17 GP10 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Jameis Winston: 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 Jameis Winston at 50%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Jameis Winston: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Baker Mayfield and Jameis Winston for your lineup, you are not alone. Baker Mayfield finished the 2025 season at 16.0 PPG for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (17 games), and Jameis Winston averaged 10.9 for the Cleveland Browns (10 games).

That 5.1-point weekly advantage for Baker Mayfield 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. Baker Mayfield threw for 3693 yards and 26 touchdowns, while Jameis Winston posted 2125 yards and 13 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Both share a Week 10 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking quarterbacks this deep on your bench, plan your replacement quarterback early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Baker Mayfield is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jameis Winston is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Baker Mayfield (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Jameis Winston (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 Jameis Winston by a projected 87 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jameis Winston'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.
  • 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 Jameis Winston: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatBaker MayfieldJameis Winston
PPG (Half-PPR)16.010.9
Games Played1710
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)272109
Passing Yards3,6932,125
Passing TDs2613
Pass Yds/Game217.2212.5
Rushing Yards38245
Rushing TDs11
Total TDs2714
TDs/Game1.61.4
Age31-
Experience7 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Baker Mayfield at 16.0 PPG, 5.1 points per game above Jameis Winston's 10.9. 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 Baker Mayfield or Jameis Winston in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Jameis Winston's 10.9 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 Jameis Winston average in 2025?

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jameis Winston averaged 10.9 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 5.1 points per game.

Do Baker Mayfield and Jameis Winston share a bye week?

Yes, both Baker Mayfield and Jameis Winston 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 Jameis Winston a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Baker Mayfield outscored Jameis Winston by 5.1 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.

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