Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Daniel Jones vs Geno SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.4 PPG to Geno Smith's 11.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Daniel Jones is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 17.4 PPG and 3,265 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Geno Smith (11.6 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Daniel Jones as the starter and Geno Smith as depth.

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

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QBIndianapolis Colts#13PPG LEADER

Daniel Jones

PPG

17.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,101

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

164

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

QBLas Vegas Raiders#34

Geno Smith

PPG

11.6

Games

Pass Yds

3,025

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

109

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Daniel Jones

Geno Smith

Head to Head

17.4 PPG11.6 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Daniel Jones: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #13 at the position). Geno Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #34 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Daniel Jones is producing at 79% of elite pace and Geno Smith at 53%. That ranking gap means Daniel Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Daniel Jones vs Geno Smith: The Full Breakdown

Daniel Jones and Geno Smith are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 PPG across 13 games with the Indianapolis Colts, while Geno Smith posted 11.6 PPG in 15 appearances for the Las Vegas Raiders.

A 5.8-PPG gap gives Daniel Jones 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. Daniel Jones threw for 3101 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Geno Smith posted 3025 yards and 19 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 13 bye. That means you need a backup plan at quarterback for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Daniel Jones at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Geno Smith is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Daniel Jones (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Geno Smith (age 35) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Daniel Jones outscored Geno Smith by a projected 99 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Geno Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to Daniel Jones's 13. That durability gap means Geno Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Daniel Jones scored 24 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Daniel Jones is 6 years younger than Geno Smith (29 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
•Both players share a Week 13 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Daniel Jones vs Geno Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Daniel Jones	Geno Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.4	11.6
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	226	174
Passing Yards	3,101	3,025
Passing TDs	19	19
Pass Yds/Game	238.5	201.7
Rushing Yards	164	109
Rushing TDs	5	0
Total TDs	24	19
TDs/Game	1.8	1.3
Age	29	35
Experience	6 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 13

Summary

Daniel Jones outscored Geno Smith by 5.8 PPG in 2025 (17.4 to 11.6). 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 Daniel Jones or Geno Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Daniel Jones has the edge at 17.4 PPG compared to Geno Smith's 11.6 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 Daniel Jones and Geno Smith average in 2025?▾

Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Geno Smith averaged 11.6 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 5.8 points per game.

Do Daniel Jones and Geno Smith share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Daniel Jones and Geno Smith share a Week 13 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Daniel Jones or Geno Smith a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones outscored Geno Smith by 5.8 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.