Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Justin HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Justin Herbert is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.9 PPG to Baker Mayfield's 16.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Justin Herbert is the better fantasy play this season.

Justin Herbert is the better play on a neutral week. 17.9 PPG with 4,225 yards gives a reliable baseline. Baker Mayfield at 16.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Justin Herbert higher, but do not fade Baker Mayfield entirely.

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

QBLos Angeles Chargers#10PPG LEADER

Justin Herbert

PPG

17.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,727

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

498

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

Justin Herbert

Head to Head

16.0 PPG17.9 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Justin Herbert: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and Justin Herbert at 81%. That ranking gap means Justin Herbert carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Justin Herbert: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Baker Mayfield and Justin Herbert 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 Justin Herbert averaged 17.9 for the Los Angeles Chargers (16 games).

That 1.9-point weekly advantage for Justin Herbert 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.

Justin Herbert offers meaningful rushing upside with 498 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Baker Mayfield (3693 passing yards, 26 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Baker Mayfield sits Week 10 while Justin Herbert is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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. Justin Herbert (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Justin Herbert outscored Baker Mayfield by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Justin Herbert's 16. That durability gap means Baker Mayfield contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Justin Herbert scored 28 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Justin Herbert added 498 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Baker Mayfield vs Justin Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Justin Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	17.9
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	286
Passing Yards	3,693	3,727
Passing TDs	26	26
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	232.9
Rushing Yards	382	498
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	27	28
TDs/Game	1.6	1.8
Age	31	28
Experience	7 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Justin Herbert at 17.9 PPG, 1.9 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 Justin Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Justin Herbert has the edge at 17.9 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 Justin Herbert average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Justin Herbert averaged 17.9 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and Justin Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Baker Mayfield or Justin Herbert a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Justin Herbert outscored Baker Mayfield by 1.9 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.