Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Jayden DanielsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.3 PPG to Baker Mayfield's 16.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Jayden Daniels and Baker Mayfield are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19

Baker Mayfield

PPG

16.0

Games

Pass Yds

3,693

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBWashington Commanders#17PPG LEADER

Jayden Daniels

PPG

16.3

Games

Pass Yds

1,262

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

278

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

Jayden Daniels

Head to Head

16.0 PPG16.3 PPG

17 GP7 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Jayden Daniels: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #17 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and Jayden Daniels at 74%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Baker Mayfield vs Jayden Daniels: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Baker Mayfield finished the 2025 season at 16.0 PPG over 17 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Jayden Daniels clocked in at 16.3 across 7 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 0.3-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Baker Mayfield threw for 3693 yards and 26 touchdowns, while Jayden Daniels posted 1262 yards and 8 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 Jayden Daniels 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

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: Baker Mayfield (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Jayden Daniels (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Jayden Daniels outscored Baker Mayfield by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jayden Daniels's 7. 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.
•Jayden Daniels is 6 years younger than Baker Mayfield (25 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Baker Mayfield vs Jayden Daniels: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Jayden Daniels
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	16.3
Games Played	17	7
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	114
Passing Yards	3,693	1,262
Passing TDs	26	8
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	180.3
Rushing Yards	382	278
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	27	10
TDs/Game	1.6	1.4
Age	31	25
Experience	7 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

16.3 PPG for Jayden Daniels versus 16.0 for Baker Mayfield in 2025. The baseline favors Jayden Daniels, 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 Baker Mayfield or Jayden Daniels in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jayden Daniels has the edge at 16.3 PPG compared to Baker Mayfield's 16.0 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 Jayden Daniels average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 PPG over 7 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and Jayden Daniels's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Baker Mayfield or Jayden Daniels a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels outscored Baker Mayfield by 0.3 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.