Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Daniel Jones vs Lamar JacksonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.4 PPG to Lamar Jackson's 16.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Daniel Jones edges Lamar Jackson by 0.9 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Daniel Jones goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

QBBaltimore Ravens#16

Lamar Jackson

PPG

16.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,549

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

349

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Daniel Jones

Lamar Jackson

Head to Head

17.4 PPG16.5 PPG

13 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Daniel Jones: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #13 at the position). Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Daniel Jones is producing at 79% of elite pace and Lamar Jackson at 75%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Daniel Jones vs Lamar Jackson: 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 Lamar Jackson clocked in at 16.5 across 13 appearances for the Baltimore Ravens. A 0.9-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 Lamar Jackson posted 2549 yards and 21 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

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. Lamar Jackson (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Daniel Jones outscored Lamar Jackson by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Daniel Jones scored 24 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Lamar Jackson added 349 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.
•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 Lamar Jackson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Daniel Jones	Lamar Jackson
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.4	16.5
Games Played	13	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	226	215
Passing Yards	3,101	2,549
Passing TDs	19	21
Pass Yds/Game	238.5	196.1
Rushing Yards	164	349
Rushing TDs	5	2
Total TDs	24	23
TDs/Game	1.8	1.8
Age	29	29
Experience	6 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Daniel Jones holds the PPG edge with solid output at 17.4 points per game. Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 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 Daniel Jones or Lamar Jackson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Daniel Jones has the edge at 17.4 PPG compared to Lamar Jackson's 16.5 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 Lamar Jackson average in 2025?▾

Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

Do Daniel Jones and Lamar Jackson share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Daniel Jones and Lamar Jackson 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 Lamar Jackson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones outscored Lamar Jackson by 0.9 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.