Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs Joe BurrowWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy play this season.

Joe Burrow is the better play on a neutral week. 16.8 PPG with 1,850 yards gives a reliable baseline. Deshaun Watson at 12.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Joe Burrow higher, but do not fade Deshaun Watson entirely.

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

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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

QBCincinnati Bengals#15PPG LEADER

Joe Burrow

PPG

16.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,809

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Deshaun Watson

Joe Burrow

Head to Head

12.2 PPG16.8 PPG

11 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Deshaun Watson is producing at 55% of elite pace and Joe Burrow at 76%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deshaun Watson vs Joe Burrow: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Deshaun Watson and Joe Burrow is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Cleveland Browns quarterback put up 12.2 PPG in 2025 over 11 games; Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals averaged 16.8 in 8. A 4.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.6 points favors Joe Burrow, 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. Deshaun Watson threw for 2105 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Joe Burrow posted 1809 yards and 17 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Deshaun Watson has his bye in Week 10, and Joe Burrow 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

Joe Burrow is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Deshaun Watson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Deshaun Watson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Joe Burrow (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Joe Burrow outscored Deshaun Watson by a projected 78 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Deshaun Watson played 11 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. That durability gap means Deshaun Watson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Joe Burrow scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deshaun Watson vs Joe Burrow: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deshaun Watson	Joe Burrow
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.2	16.8
Games Played	11	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	134
Passing Yards	2,105	1,809
Passing TDs	12	17
Pass Yds/Game	191.4	226.1
Rushing Yards	185	41
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total TDs	14	17
TDs/Game	1.3	2.1
Age	-	29
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

16.8 PPG for Joe Burrow versus 12.2 for Deshaun Watson in 2025. The baseline favors Joe Burrow, 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 Deshaun Watson or Joe Burrow in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 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 Joe Burrow average in 2025?▾

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 4.6 points per game.

When are Deshaun Watson and Joe Burrow's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deshaun Watson or Joe Burrow a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Deshaun Watson by 4.6 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.