Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs Russell WilsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Russell Wilson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.2 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Russell Wilson is the better fantasy play this season.

Russell Wilson has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.0-PPG advantage is real (14.2 to 12.2), and Russell Wilson's 20 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

QBPittsburgh Steelers#99PPG LEADER

Russell Wilson

PPG

14.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,890

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

155

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Deshaun Watson

Russell Wilson

Head to Head

12.2 PPG14.2 PPG

11 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Russell Wilson: 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 Russell Wilson at 65%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Deshaun Watson vs Russell Wilson: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns) finished the 2025 season averaging 12.2 fantasy points per game in 11 games. Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers) came in at 14.2 PPG over 14 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Russell Wilson carries a 2.0-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Deshaun Watson threw for 2105 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Russell Wilson posted 2890 yards and 18 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Deshaun Watson is off Week 10 and Russell Wilson Week 9. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Russell Wilson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Russell Wilson outscored Deshaun Watson by a projected 34 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Russell Wilson played 14 games in 2025 compared to Deshaun Watson's 11. That durability gap means Russell Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Russell Wilson scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deshaun Watson vs Russell Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deshaun Watson	Russell Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.2	14.2
Games Played	11	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	199
Passing Yards	2,105	2,890
Passing TDs	12	18
Pass Yds/Game	191.4	206.4
Rushing Yards	185	155
Rushing TDs	2	2
Total TDs	14	20
TDs/Game	1.3	1.4
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Russell Wilson holds the PPG edge with solid output at 14.2 points per game. Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Russell Wilson has the edge at 14.2 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 Russell Wilson average in 2025?▾

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Russell Wilson averaged 14.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.0 points per game.

When are Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Russell Wilson (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Russell Wilson outscored Deshaun Watson by 2.0 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.