Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Deshaun Watson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.2 PPG to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Deshaun Watson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Deshaun Watson and Tua Tagovailoa are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.7-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

QBMiami Dolphins#35

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Deshaun Watson

Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

12.2 PPG11.5 PPG

11 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Deshaun Watson is producing at 55% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. That ranking gap means Tua Tagovailoa carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deshaun Watson vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

Deshaun Watson (12.2 PPG) and Tua Tagovailoa (11.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Deshaun Watson played 11 games for the Cleveland Browns; Tua Tagovailoa suited up 14 times for the Miami Dolphins.

A 0.7-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Deshaun Watson threw for 2105 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Tua Tagovailoa posted 2660 yards and 20 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 Tua Tagovailoa is off Week 6. 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

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

Did You Know?

•Deshaun Watson outscored Tua Tagovailoa by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tua Tagovailoa played 14 games in 2025 compared to Deshaun Watson's 11. That durability gap means Tua Tagovailoa contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tua Tagovailoa 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 Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deshaun Watson	Tua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.2	11.5
Games Played	11	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	161
Passing Yards	2,105	2,660
Passing TDs	12	20
Pass Yds/Game	191.4	190.0
Rushing Yards	185	43
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total TDs	14	20
TDs/Game	1.3	1.4
Age	-	28
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Deshaun Watson at 12.2 PPG, 0.7 points per game above Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5. 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 Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Deshaun Watson has the edge at 12.2 PPG compared to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 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 Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?▾

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Deshaun Watson and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Deshaun Watson or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 0.7 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.