Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy play this season.

Baker Mayfield is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 16.0 PPG and 4,075 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Shedeur Sanders (10.6 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Baker Mayfield as the starter and Shedeur Sanders as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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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

QBCleveland Browns#40

Shedeur Sanders

PPG

10.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,400

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

169

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

16.0 PPG10.6 PPG

17 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

Baker Mayfield and Shedeur Sanders are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 PPG across 17 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Shedeur Sanders posted 10.6 PPG in 8 appearances for the Cleveland Browns.

A 5.4-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 10 and Shedeur Sanders Week 11. 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Baker Mayfield at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Shedeur Sanders is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Baker Mayfield (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Shedeur Sanders (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Baker Mayfield outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 92 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders'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.
•Shedeur Sanders is 7 years younger than Baker Mayfield (24 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Baker Mayfield vs Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	10.6
Games Played	17	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	85
Passing Yards	3,693	1,400
Passing TDs	26	7
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	175.0
Rushing Yards	382	169
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	27	8
TDs/Game	1.6	1.0
Age	31	24
Experience	7 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

Baker Mayfield outscored Shedeur Sanders by 5.4 PPG in 2025 (16.0 to 10.6). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Baker Mayfield or Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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 Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 5.4 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and Shedeur Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Shedeur Sanders (CLE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Baker Mayfield or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield outscored Shedeur Sanders by 5.4 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.