Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs Tyler ShoughWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Shough is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.4 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Shough is the better fantasy play this season.

Tyler Shough has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.2-PPG advantage is real (14.4 to 12.2), and Tyler Shough's 13 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Deshaun Watson and Tyler Shough in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBCleveland Browns#99

Deshaun Watson

PPG

12.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,105

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

185

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBNew Orleans Saints#24PPG LEADER

Tyler Shough

PPG

14.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,384

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

186

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Deshaun Watson

Tyler Shough

Head to Head

12.2 PPG14.4 PPG

11 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Tyler Shough: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Deshaun Watson is producing at 55% of elite pace and Tyler Shough at 65%. That ranking gap means Tyler Shough carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deshaun Watson vs Tyler Shough: The Full Breakdown

Deshaun Watson and Tyler Shough 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 Tyler Shough posted 14.4 PPG in 11 appearances for the New Orleans Saints.

A 2.2-PPG gap gives Tyler Shough 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 Tyler Shough posted 2384 yards and 10 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 Tyler Shough rests in Week 8. 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

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. Tyler Shough (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Shough outscored Deshaun Watson by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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 Tyler Shough: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deshaun Watson	Tyler Shough
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.2	14.4
Games Played	11	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	158
Passing Yards	2,105	2,384
Passing TDs	12	10
Pass Yds/Game	191.4	216.7
Rushing Yards	185	186
Rushing TDs	2	3
Total TDs	14	13
TDs/Game	1.3	1.2
Age	-	26
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 8

Summary

Tyler Shough outscored Deshaun Watson by 2.2 PPG in 2025 (14.4 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Deshaun Watson vs Tyler Shough

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Deshaun Watson vs Tyler Shough

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Deshaun Watson or Tyler Shough in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Shough has the edge at 14.4 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 Tyler Shough average in 2025?▾

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are Deshaun Watson and Tyler Shough's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Tyler Shough (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deshaun Watson or Tyler Shough a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Tyler Shough outscored Deshaun Watson by 2.2 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.