Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs Lamar JacksonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy play this season.

Lamar Jackson has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.3-PPG advantage is real (16.5 to 12.2), and Lamar Jackson's 23 touchdowns show scoring upside. Deshaun Watson is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

QBBaltimore Ravens#16PPG LEADER

Lamar Jackson

PPG

16.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,549

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

349

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Deshaun Watson

Lamar Jackson

Head to Head

12.2 PPG16.5 PPG

11 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Deshaun Watson is producing at 55% of elite pace and Lamar Jackson at 75%. That ranking gap means Lamar Jackson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deshaun Watson vs Lamar Jackson: The Full Breakdown

Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 PPG across 11 games with the Cleveland Browns, while Lamar Jackson posted 16.5 PPG in 13 appearances for the Baltimore Ravens.

A 4.3-PPG gap gives Lamar Jackson the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Deshaun Watson threw for 2105 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Lamar Jackson posted 2549 yards and 21 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: Deshaun Watson sits Week 10 while Lamar Jackson is off Week 13. 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

If you can acquire Lamar Jackson at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Deshaun Watson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Deshaun Watson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Lamar Jackson (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Lamar Jackson outscored Deshaun Watson by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Lamar Jackson played 13 games in 2025 compared to Deshaun Watson's 11. That durability gap means Lamar Jackson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Lamar Jackson scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Lamar Jackson added 349 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deshaun Watson vs Lamar Jackson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deshaun Watson	Lamar Jackson
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.2	16.5
Games Played	11	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	215
Passing Yards	2,105	2,549
Passing TDs	12	21
Pass Yds/Game	191.4	196.1
Rushing Yards	185	349
Rushing TDs	2	2
Total TDs	14	23
TDs/Game	1.3	1.8
Age	-	29
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 13

Summary

Lamar Jackson outscored Deshaun Watson by 4.3 PPG in 2025 (16.5 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 Lamar Jackson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Lamar Jackson has the edge at 16.5 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 Lamar Jackson average in 2025?▾

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Lamar Jackson (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deshaun Watson or Lamar Jackson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Lamar Jackson outscored Deshaun Watson by 4.3 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.