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Daniel Jones vs Jayden DanielsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.4 PPG to Jayden Daniels's 16.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Daniel Jones and Jayden Daniels are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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QBIndianapolis Colts#13PPG LEADER
Daniel Jones
PPG
17.4
Games
13
Pass Yds
3,101
Pass TDs
19
Rush Yds
164
Rush TDs
5
Bye
Week 13
QBWashington Commanders#17
Jayden Daniels
PPG
16.3
Games
7
Pass Yds
1,262
Pass TDs
8
Rush Yds
278
Rush TDs
2
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Daniel Jones
Jayden Daniels

Head to Head

17.4 PPG16.3 PPG
13 GP7 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Daniel Jones: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #13 at the position). Jayden Daniels: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #17 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Daniel Jones is producing at 79% of elite pace and Jayden Daniels at 74%. That ranking gap means Daniel Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Daniel Jones vs Jayden Daniels: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Daniel Jones finished the 2025 season at 17.4 PPG over 13 games with the Indianapolis Colts, while Jayden Daniels clocked in at 16.3 across 7 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 1.1-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Daniel Jones threw for 3101 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Jayden Daniels posted 1262 yards and 8 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Daniel Jones is off Week 13 and Jayden Daniels Week 7. 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: Daniel Jones (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Jayden Daniels (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

  • Daniel Jones outscored Jayden Daniels by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Daniel Jones played 13 games in 2025 compared to Jayden Daniels's 7. That durability gap means Daniel Jones 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.
  • Jayden Daniels is 4 years younger than Daniel Jones (25 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Daniel Jones vs Jayden Daniels: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDaniel JonesJayden Daniels
PPG (Half-PPR)17.416.3
Games Played137
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)226114
Passing Yards3,1011,262
Passing TDs198
Pass Yds/Game238.5180.3
Rushing Yards164278
Rushing TDs52
Total TDs2410
TDs/Game1.81.4
Age2925
Experience6 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Daniel Jones at 17.4 PPG, 1.1 points per game above Jayden Daniels's 16.3. 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 Daniel Jones or Jayden Daniels in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Daniel Jones has the edge at 17.4 PPG compared to Jayden Daniels's 16.3 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 Jayden Daniels average in 2025?

Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 PPG over 7 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Daniel Jones and Jayden Daniels's bye weeks in 2026?

Daniel Jones (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Jayden Daniels (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Daniel Jones or Jayden Daniels a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Daniel Jones outscored Jayden Daniels by 1.1 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.

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