Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Drake Maye vs Matthew StaffordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Drake Maye is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.7 PPG to Matthew Stafford's 20.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Drake Maye is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Drake Maye edges Matthew Stafford by 0.1 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Drake Maye goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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QBNew England Patriots#2PPG LEADER

Drake Maye

PPG

20.7

Games

Pass Yds

4,394

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

450

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBLos Angeles Rams#3

Matthew Stafford

PPG

20.6

Games

Pass Yds

4,707

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Drake Maye

Matthew Stafford

Head to Head

20.7 PPG20.6 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Drake Maye: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #2 at the position). Matthew Stafford: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #3 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Drake Maye is producing at 94% of elite pace and Matthew Stafford at 94%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Drake Maye vs Matthew Stafford: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Drake Maye averaged 20.7 PPG with the New England Patriots across 17 games, and Matthew Stafford posted 20.6 with the Los Angeles Rams in 17.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Drake Maye offers meaningful rushing upside with 450 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Matthew Stafford (4707 passing yards, 46 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 11 bye. That means you need a backup plan at quarterback for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Drake Maye (age 23) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. Matthew Stafford (age 38) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Drake Maye outscored Matthew Stafford by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Matthew Stafford scored 46 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Drake Maye added 450 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.
•Drake Maye is 15 years younger than Matthew Stafford (23 vs 38), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Drake Maye vs Matthew Stafford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Drake Maye	Matthew Stafford
PPG (Half-PPR)	20.7	20.6
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	352	350
Passing Yards	4,394	4,707
Passing TDs	31	46
Pass Yds/Game	258.5	276.9
Rushing Yards	450	1
Rushing TDs	4	0
Total TDs	35	46
TDs/Game	2.1	2.7
Age	23	38
Experience	1 yrs	16 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Drake Maye holds the PPG edge with strong output at 20.7 points per game. Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 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 Drake Maye or Matthew Stafford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Drake Maye has the edge at 20.7 PPG compared to Matthew Stafford's 20.6 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 Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford average in 2025?▾

Drake Maye averaged 20.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Matthew Stafford averaged 20.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

Do Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Drake Maye or Matthew Stafford a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Drake Maye outscored Matthew Stafford by 0.1 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.