Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cooper Rush vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.4 PPG to Cooper Rush's 11.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy play this season.

Michael Penix Jr. is the better play on a neutral week. 13.4 PPG with 2,052 yards gives a reliable baseline. Cooper Rush at 11.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Michael Penix Jr. higher, but do not fade Cooper Rush entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBDallas Cowboys#99

Cooper Rush

PPG

11.1

Games

Pass Yds

1,985

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBAtlanta Falcons#29PPG LEADER

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Cooper Rush

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

11.1 PPG13.4 PPG

10 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Rush: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Cooper Rush is producing at 50% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Michael Penix Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cooper Rush vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Cooper Rush and Michael Penix Jr. is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback put up 11.1 PPG in 2025 over 10 games; Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons averaged 13.4 in 9. A 2.3-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.3 points favors Michael Penix Jr., 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. Cooper Rush threw for 1985 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Michael Penix Jr. posted 1982 yards and 9 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Cooper Rush is off Week 7 and Michael Penix Jr. 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

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: Cooper Rush (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Michael Penix Jr. outscored Cooper Rush by a projected 39 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cooper Rush played 10 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. That durability gap means Cooper Rush contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Cooper Rush scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Rush vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Rush	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.1	13.4
Games Played	10	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	111	121
Passing Yards	1,985	1,982
Passing TDs	12	9
Pass Yds/Game	198.5	220.2
Rushing Yards	28	70
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	12	10
TDs/Game	1.2	1.1
Age	-	26
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

13.4 PPG for Michael Penix Jr. versus 11.1 for Cooper Rush in 2025. The baseline favors Michael Penix Jr., 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 Cooper Rush or Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Penix Jr. has the edge at 13.4 PPG compared to Cooper Rush's 11.1 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 Cooper Rush and Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.3 points per game.

When are Cooper Rush and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cooper Rush (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cooper Rush or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Michael Penix Jr. outscored Cooper Rush by 2.3 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.