Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Daniel Jones vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.4 PPG to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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. Michael Penix Jr. at 13.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Daniel Jones higher, but do not fade Michael Penix Jr. entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Daniel Jones

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

17.4 PPG13.4 PPG

13 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Daniel Jones: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #13 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Daniel Jones is producing at 79% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Daniel Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Daniel Jones vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Daniel Jones and Michael Penix Jr. for your lineup, you are not alone. Daniel Jones finished the 2025 season at 17.4 PPG for the Indianapolis Colts (13 games), and Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 for the Atlanta Falcons (9 games).

That 4.0-point weekly advantage for Daniel Jones 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. Daniel Jones threw for 3101 yards and 19 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: Daniel Jones sits Week 13 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

Daniel Jones 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: Daniel Jones (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. 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?

•Daniel Jones outscored Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Daniel Jones played 13 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Daniel Jones vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Daniel Jones	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.4	13.4
Games Played	13	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	226	121
Passing Yards	3,101	1,982
Passing TDs	19	9
Pass Yds/Game	238.5	220.2
Rushing Yards	164	70
Rushing TDs	5	1
Total TDs	24	10
TDs/Game	1.8	1.1
Age	29	26
Experience	6 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Daniel Jones at 17.4 PPG, 4.0 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 Daniel Jones or Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Daniel Jones has the edge at 17.4 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 Daniel Jones and Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 4.0 points per game.

When are Daniel Jones and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Daniel Jones or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 4.0 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.