Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Tyler ShoughWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Tyler Shough's 14.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy play this season.

Baker Mayfield has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.6-PPG advantage is real (16.0 to 14.4), and Baker Mayfield's 27 touchdowns show scoring upside. Tyler Shough is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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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

QBNew Orleans Saints#24

Tyler Shough

PPG

14.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,384

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

186

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

Tyler Shough

Head to Head

16.0 PPG14.4 PPG

17 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Tyler Shough: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and Tyler Shough at 65%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Tyler Shough: The Full Breakdown

Baker Mayfield and Tyler Shough 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 Tyler Shough posted 14.4 PPG in 11 appearances for the New Orleans Saints.

A 1.6-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 Tyler Shough posted 2384 yards and 10 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 Tyler Shough is off Week 8. 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. Tyler Shough (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 Tyler Shough by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Shough's 11. 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.
•Tyler Shough is 5 years younger than Baker Mayfield (26 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Baker Mayfield vs Tyler Shough: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Tyler Shough
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	14.4
Games Played	17	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	158
Passing Yards	3,693	2,384
Passing TDs	26	10
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	216.7
Rushing Yards	382	186
Rushing TDs	1	3
Total TDs	27	13
TDs/Game	1.6	1.2
Age	31	26
Experience	7 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 8

Summary

Baker Mayfield outscored Tyler Shough by 1.6 PPG in 2025 (16.0 to 14.4). 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 Tyler Shough in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Tyler Shough's 14.4 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 Tyler Shough average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and Tyler Shough's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Tyler Shough (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Baker Mayfield or Tyler Shough a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield outscored Tyler Shough by 1.6 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.