Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Kirk CousinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Kirk Cousins's 15.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-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#19PPG LEADER

Baker Mayfield

PPG

16.0

Games

Pass Yds

3,693

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBAtlanta Falcons#99

Kirk Cousins

PPG

15.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,588

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

Kirk Cousins

Head to Head

16.0 PPG15.4 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Kirk Cousins: 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 Kirk Cousins at 70%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Kirk Cousins: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.6 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 Kirk Cousins posted 15.4 with the Atlanta Falcons in 16.

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 Kirk Cousins posted 3588 yards and 23 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 Kirk Cousins rests in Week 12. 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. Kirk Cousins (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 Kirk Cousins by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Kirk Cousins's 16. 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 Kirk Cousins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Kirk Cousins
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	15.4
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	246
Passing Yards	3,693	3,588
Passing TDs	26	23
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	224.3
Rushing Yards	382	78
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	27	23
TDs/Game	1.6	1.4
Age	31	-
Experience	7 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Baker Mayfield at 16.0 PPG, 0.6 points per game above Kirk Cousins's 15.4. 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 Kirk Cousins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Kirk Cousins's 15.4 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 Kirk Cousins average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Baker Mayfield or Kirk Cousins a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield outscored Kirk Cousins by 0.6 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.