Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs Gardner MinshewWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Gardner Minshew is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.4 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Gardner Minshew is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Gardner Minshew edges Deshaun Watson by 0.2 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, Gardner Minshew 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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QBCleveland Browns#99

Deshaun Watson

PPG

12.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,105

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

185

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBLas Vegas Raiders#99PPG LEADER

Gardner Minshew

PPG

12.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,420

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

125

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Deshaun Watson

Gardner Minshew

Head to Head

12.2 PPG12.4 PPG

11 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Gardner Minshew: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Deshaun Watson is producing at 55% of elite pace and Gardner Minshew at 56%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Deshaun Watson vs Gardner Minshew: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Deshaun Watson and Gardner Minshew is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 PPG with the Cleveland Browns across 11 games, and Gardner Minshew posted 12.4 with the Las Vegas Raiders in 12.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Deshaun Watson threw for 2105 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Gardner Minshew posted 2420 yards and 14 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 10 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: Deshaun Watson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Gardner Minshew (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Gardner Minshew outscored Deshaun Watson by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gardner Minshew played 12 games in 2025 compared to Deshaun Watson's 11. That durability gap means Gardner Minshew contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Gardner Minshew scored 15 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Both players share a Week 10 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deshaun Watson vs Gardner Minshew: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deshaun Watson	Gardner Minshew
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.2	12.4
Games Played	11	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	149
Passing Yards	2,105	2,420
Passing TDs	12	14
Pass Yds/Game	191.4	201.7
Rushing Yards	185	125
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	14	15
TDs/Game	1.3	1.3
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 10

Summary

Gardner Minshew outscored Deshaun Watson by 0.2 PPG in 2025 (12.4 to 12.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Deshaun Watson or Gardner Minshew in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Gardner Minshew has the edge at 12.4 PPG compared to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 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 Deshaun Watson and Gardner Minshew average in 2025?▾

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

Do Deshaun Watson and Gardner Minshew share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Deshaun Watson and Gardner Minshew share a Week 10 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Deshaun Watson or Gardner Minshew a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Gardner Minshew outscored Deshaun Watson by 0.2 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.