Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Daniel Jones vs Kirk CousinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.4 PPG to Kirk Cousins's 15.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Daniel Jones is the better play on a neutral week. 17.4 PPG with 3,265 yards gives a reliable baseline. Kirk Cousins at 15.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Daniel Jones higher, but do not fade Kirk Cousins entirely.

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

Pass Yds

3,101

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

164

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

QBAtlanta Falcons#99

Kirk Cousins

PPG

15.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,588

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Daniel Jones

Kirk Cousins

Head to Head

17.4 PPG15.4 PPG

13 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Daniel Jones: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #13 at the position). Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Daniel Jones is producing at 79% of elite pace and Kirk Cousins at 70%. That ranking gap means Daniel Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Daniel Jones vs Kirk Cousins: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Daniel Jones and Kirk Cousins is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback put up 17.4 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons averaged 15.4 in 16. A 2.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.0 points favors Daniel Jones, 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. Daniel Jones threw for 3101 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Kirk Cousins posted 3588 yards and 23 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Daniel Jones has his bye in Week 13, and Kirk Cousins rests in Week 12. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. Kirk Cousins (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Daniel Jones outscored Kirk Cousins by a projected 34 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Daniel Jones's 13. That durability gap means Kirk Cousins 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Daniel Jones vs Kirk Cousins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Daniel Jones	Kirk Cousins
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.4	15.4
Games Played	13	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	226	246
Passing Yards	3,101	3,588
Passing TDs	19	23
Pass Yds/Game	238.5	224.3
Rushing Yards	164	78
Rushing TDs	5	0
Total TDs	24	23
TDs/Game	1.8	1.4
Age	29	-
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 12

Summary

17.4 PPG for Daniel Jones versus 15.4 for Kirk Cousins in 2025. The baseline favors Daniel Jones, 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 Daniel Jones or Kirk Cousins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Daniel Jones has the edge at 17.4 PPG compared to Kirk Cousins's 15.4 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 Daniel Jones and Kirk Cousins average in 2025?▾

Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 2.0 points per game.

When are Daniel Jones and Kirk Cousins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Daniel Jones or Kirk Cousins a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones outscored Kirk Cousins by 2.0 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.