Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Joe BurrowWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Baker Mayfield's 16.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.8-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

QBCincinnati Bengals#15PPG LEADER

Joe Burrow

PPG

16.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,809

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

Joe Burrow

Head to Head

16.0 PPG16.8 PPG

17 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and Joe Burrow at 76%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Joe Burrow: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Baker Mayfield and Joe Burrow is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.8 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 PPG with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers across 17 games, and Joe Burrow posted 16.8 with the Cincinnati Bengals in 8.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Baker Mayfield threw for 3693 yards and 26 touchdowns, while Joe Burrow posted 1809 yards and 17 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Baker Mayfield has his bye in Week 10, and Joe Burrow rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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

Did You Know?

•Joe Burrow outscored Baker Mayfield by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. 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 Joe Burrow: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Joe Burrow
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	16.8
Games Played	17	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	134
Passing Yards	3,693	1,809
Passing TDs	26	17
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	226.1
Rushing Yards	382	41
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	27	17
TDs/Game	1.6	2.1
Age	31	29
Experience	7 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Joe Burrow at 16.8 PPG, 0.8 points per game above Baker Mayfield's 16.0. 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 Joe Burrow in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 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 Joe Burrow average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and Joe Burrow's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Baker Mayfield or Joe Burrow a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Baker Mayfield by 0.8 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.