Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Daniel Jones vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.4 PPG to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Daniel Jones outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 5.9 PPG in 2025 with 24 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Daniel Jones is the clear pick. Tua Tagovailoa profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

QBMiami Dolphins#35

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Daniel Jones

Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

17.4 PPG11.5 PPG

13 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Daniel Jones: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #13 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Daniel Jones is producing at 79% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. That ranking gap means Daniel Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Daniel Jones vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Daniel Jones and Tua Tagovailoa is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback put up 17.4 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins averaged 11.5 in 14. A 5.9-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.9 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 Tua Tagovailoa posted 2660 yards and 20 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 Tua Tagovailoa rests in Week 6. 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

Daniel Jones is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Tua Tagovailoa 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. Tua Tagovailoa (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Daniel Jones outscored Tua Tagovailoa by a projected 100 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tua Tagovailoa played 14 games in 2025 compared to Daniel Jones's 13. That durability gap means Tua Tagovailoa 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 Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Daniel Jones	Tua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.4	11.5
Games Played	13	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	226	161
Passing Yards	3,101	2,660
Passing TDs	19	20
Pass Yds/Game	238.5	190.0
Rushing Yards	164	43
Rushing TDs	5	0
Total TDs	24	20
TDs/Game	1.8	1.4
Age	29	28
Experience	6 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 6

Summary

17.4 PPG for Daniel Jones versus 11.5 for Tua Tagovailoa 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 Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Daniel Jones has the edge at 17.4 PPG compared to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 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 Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?▾

Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.9 points per game.

When are Daniel Jones and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Daniel Jones or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 5.9 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.