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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs Kyler MurrayWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.6 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy play this season.

Kyler Murray is the better play on a neutral week. 15.6 PPG with 1,135 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 Kyler Murray 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
11
Pass Yds
2,105
Pass TDs
12
Rush Yds
185
Rush TDs
2
Bye
Week 10
QBArizona Cardinals#22PPG LEADER
Kyler Murray
PPG
15.6
Games
5
Pass Yds
962
Pass TDs
6
Rush Yds
173
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Deshaun Watson
Kyler Murray

Head to Head

12.2 PPG15.6 PPG
11 GP5 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Kyler Murray: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Deshaun Watson is producing at 55% of elite pace and Kyler Murray at 71%. That ranking gap means Kyler Murray carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deshaun Watson vs Kyler Murray: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Deshaun Watson and Kyler Murray for your lineup, you are not alone. Deshaun Watson finished the 2025 season at 12.2 PPG for the Cleveland Browns (11 games), and Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 for the Arizona Cardinals (5 games).

That 3.4-point weekly advantage for Kyler Murray 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. Deshaun Watson threw for 2105 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Kyler Murray posted 962 yards and 6 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 Kyler Murray rests in Week 14. 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

Kyler Murray 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. Kyler Murray (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Kyler Murray outscored Deshaun Watson by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Deshaun Watson played 11 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray's 5. That durability gap means Deshaun Watson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Deshaun Watson scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deshaun Watson vs Kyler Murray: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDeshaun WatsonKyler Murray
PPG (Half-PPR)12.215.6
Games Played115
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)13478
Passing Yards2,105962
Passing TDs126
Pass Yds/Game191.4192.4
Rushing Yards185173
Rushing TDs21
Total TDs147
TDs/Game1.31.4
Age-28
Experience-6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kyler Murray at 15.6 PPG, 3.4 points per game above Deshaun Watson's 12.2. 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 Deshaun Watson or Kyler Murray in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyler Murray has the edge at 15.6 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 Kyler Murray average in 2025?

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 PPG over 5 games. That is a difference of 3.4 points per game.

When are Deshaun Watson and Kyler Murray's bye weeks in 2026?

Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Kyler Murray (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deshaun Watson or Kyler Murray a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Kyler Murray outscored Deshaun Watson by 3.4 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.