Baker Mayfield vs Tua Tagovailoa: Who Should You Start?
Deciding between Baker Mayfield and Tua Tagovailoa is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback put up 16.6 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Tua Tagovailoa of the Atlanta Falcons averaged 12.6 in 14. A 4.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.
The per-game difference of 4.0 points favors Baker Mayfield, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.
Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Baker Mayfield threw for 3693 yards and 26 touchdowns, while Tua Tagovailoa posted 2660 yards and 20 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 11, and Tua Tagovailoa 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.
