Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy play this season.

Baker Mayfield is the better play on a neutral week. 16.0 PPG with 4,075 yards gives a reliable baseline. Michael Penix Jr. at 13.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Baker Mayfield higher, but do not fade Michael Penix Jr. entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

16.0 PPG13.4 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Baker Mayfield and Michael Penix Jr. 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 Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 for the Atlanta Falcons (9 games).

That 2.6-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 Michael Penix Jr. posted 1982 yards and 9 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Baker Mayfield sits Week 10 while Michael Penix Jr. is off Week 11. 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. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Baker Mayfield outscored Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. 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.
•Michael Penix Jr. is 5 years younger than Baker Mayfield (26 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Baker Mayfield vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	13.4
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	121
Passing Yards	3,693	1,982
Passing TDs	26	9
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	220.2
Rushing Yards	382	70
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	27	10
TDs/Game	1.6	1.1
Age	31	26
Experience	7 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Baker Mayfield at 16.0 PPG, 2.6 points per game above Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4. 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 Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.6 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Baker Mayfield or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 2.6 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.