Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dak Prescott vs Gardner MinshewWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dak Prescott is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 18.5 PPG to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dak Prescott is the better fantasy play this season.

Dak Prescott is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 18.5 PPG and 4,729 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Gardner Minshew (12.4 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Dak Prescott as the starter and Gardner Minshew as depth.

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

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QBDallas Cowboys#9PPG LEADER

Dak Prescott

PPG

18.5

Games

Pass Yds

4,552

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

177

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

QBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Gardner Minshew

PPG

12.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,420

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

125

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Dak Prescott

Gardner Minshew

Head to Head

18.5 PPG12.4 PPG

17 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Dak Prescott: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #9 at the position). Gardner Minshew: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Dak Prescott is producing at 84% of elite pace and Gardner Minshew at 56%. That ranking gap means Dak Prescott carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dak Prescott vs Gardner Minshew: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two quarterbacks. Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) averaged 18.5 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Gardner Minshew (Las Vegas Raiders, 12.4 PPG) by 6.1 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

Dak Prescott carries a 6.1-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Dak Prescott threw for 4552 yards and 30 touchdowns, while Gardner Minshew posted 2420 yards and 14 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Dak Prescott is off Week 14 and Gardner Minshew Week 10. 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 Dak Prescott at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Gardner Minshew is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Dak Prescott (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Gardner Minshew (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Dak Prescott outscored Gardner Minshew by a projected 104 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dak Prescott played 17 games in 2025 compared to Gardner Minshew's 12. That durability gap means Dak Prescott contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Dak Prescott scored 32 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dak Prescott vs Gardner Minshew: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dak Prescott	Gardner Minshew
PPG (Half-PPR)	18.5	12.4
Games Played	17	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	315	149
Passing Yards	4,552	2,420
Passing TDs	30	14
Pass Yds/Game	267.8	201.7
Rushing Yards	177	125
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	32	15
TDs/Game	1.9	1.3
Age	32	-
Experience	9 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Dak Prescott holds the PPG edge with strong output at 18.5 points per game. Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dak Prescott or Gardner Minshew in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dak Prescott has the edge at 18.5 PPG compared to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 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 Dak Prescott and Gardner Minshew average in 2025?▾

Dak Prescott averaged 18.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 6.1 points per game.

When are Dak Prescott and Gardner Minshew's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dak Prescott (DAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Gardner Minshew (LV) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dak Prescott or Gardner Minshew a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Dak Prescott outscored Gardner Minshew by 6.1 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.