Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dak Prescott vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dak Prescott is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 18.5 PPG to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dak Prescott is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Dak Prescott outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 5.1 PPG in 2025 with 32 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Dak Prescott is the clear pick. Michael Penix Jr. profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

QBAtlanta Falcons#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Dak Prescott

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

18.5 PPG13.4 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Dak Prescott: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #9 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Dak Prescott is producing at 84% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Dak Prescott carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dak Prescott vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Dak Prescott and Michael Penix Jr. for your lineup, you are not alone. Dak Prescott finished the 2025 season at 18.5 PPG for the Dallas Cowboys (17 games), and Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 for the Atlanta Falcons (9 games).

That 5.1-point weekly advantage for Dak Prescott is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Dak Prescott threw for 4552 yards and 30 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Dak Prescott sits Week 14 while Michael Penix Jr. is off Week 11. 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

Dak Prescott is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Michael Penix Jr. is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Dak Prescott (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. 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?

•Dak Prescott outscored Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 87 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dak Prescott played 17 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. 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.
•Michael Penix Jr. is 6 years younger than Dak Prescott (26 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dak Prescott vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dak Prescott	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	18.5	13.4
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	315	121
Passing Yards	4,552	1,982
Passing TDs	30	9
Pass Yds/Game	267.8	220.2
Rushing Yards	177	70
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	32	10
TDs/Game	1.9	1.1
Age	32	26
Experience	9 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Dak Prescott at 18.5 PPG, 5.1 points per game above Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dak Prescott or Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dak Prescott has the edge at 18.5 PPG compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Dak Prescott averaged 18.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 5.1 points per game.

When are Dak Prescott and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dak Prescott (DAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dak Prescott or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Dak Prescott outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 5.1 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.