Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 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. Tua Tagovailoa at 11.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Baker Mayfield higher, but do not fade Tua Tagovailoa 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

QBMiami Dolphins#35

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

16.0 PPG11.5 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Baker Mayfield and Tua Tagovailoa is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback put up 16.0 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins averaged 11.5 in 14. A 4.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.5 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 10, and Tua Tagovailoa rests in Week 6. 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

Baker Mayfield is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Tua Tagovailoa is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Baker Mayfield (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Tua Tagovailoa (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Baker Mayfield outscored Tua Tagovailoa by a projected 77 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Tua Tagovailoa's 14. 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 Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Tua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	11.5
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	161
Passing Yards	3,693	2,660
Passing TDs	26	20
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	190.0
Rushing Yards	382	43
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	27	20
TDs/Game	1.6	1.4
Age	31	28
Experience	7 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

16.0 PPG for Baker Mayfield versus 11.5 for Tua Tagovailoa in 2025. The baseline favors Baker Mayfield, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Baker Mayfield or Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 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 Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 4.5 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Baker Mayfield or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 4.5 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.