Baker Mayfield vs Shedeur Sanders: Who Should You Start?
Baker Mayfield and Shedeur Sanders are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Baker Mayfield averaged 16.6 PPG across 17 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Shedeur Sanders posted 11.9 PPG in 8 appearances for the Cleveland Browns.
A 4.7-PPG gap gives Baker Mayfield the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Baker Mayfield threw for 3693 yards and 26 touchdowns, while Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 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 11 and Shedeur Sanders Week 10. 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.
