Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Deshaun Watson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.2 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Deshaun Watson is the better fantasy play this season.

Deshaun Watson has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.6-PPG advantage is real (12.2 to 10.6), and Deshaun Watson's 14 touchdowns show scoring upside. Shedeur Sanders is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBCleveland Browns#99PPG LEADER

Deshaun Watson

PPG

12.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,105

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

185

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBCleveland Browns#40

Shedeur Sanders

PPG

10.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,400

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

169

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Deshaun Watson

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

12.2 PPG10.6 PPG

11 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Deshaun Watson is producing at 55% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Shedeur Sanders carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deshaun Watson vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders 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 Shedeur Sanders posted 10.6 PPG in 8 appearances for the Cleveland Browns.

A 1.6-PPG gap gives Deshaun Watson 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 Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 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 Shedeur Sanders Week 11. 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. Shedeur Sanders (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Deshaun Watson outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Deshaun Watson played 11 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders's 8. 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 Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deshaun Watson	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.2	10.6
Games Played	11	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	85
Passing Yards	2,105	1,400
Passing TDs	12	7
Pass Yds/Game	191.4	175.0
Rushing Yards	185	169
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	14	8
TDs/Game	1.3	1.0
Age	-	24
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

Deshaun Watson outscored Shedeur Sanders by 1.6 PPG in 2025 (12.2 to 10.6). 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 Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Deshaun Watson has the edge at 12.2 PPG compared to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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 Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Shedeur Sanders (CLE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson outscored Shedeur Sanders by 1.6 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.