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Head to Head

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Drake Maye vs Patrick MahomesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Drake Maye is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.7 PPG to Patrick Mahomes's 20.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Drake Maye is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Drake Maye and Patrick Mahomes are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-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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QBNew England Patriots#2PPG LEADER
Drake Maye
PPG
20.7
Games
17
Pass Yds
4,394
Pass TDs
31
Rush Yds
450
Rush TDs
4
Bye
Week 11
QBKansas City Chiefs#4
Patrick Mahomes
PPG
20.4
Games
14
Pass Yds
3,587
Pass TDs
22
Rush Yds
422
Rush TDs
5
Bye
Week 5

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Drake Maye
Patrick Mahomes

Head to Head

20.7 PPG20.4 PPG
17 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Drake Maye: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #2 at the position). Patrick Mahomes: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #4 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Drake Maye is producing at 94% of elite pace and Patrick Mahomes at 93%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Drake Maye vs Patrick Mahomes: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Drake Maye and Patrick Mahomes is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.3 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 Patrick Mahomes posted 20.4 with the Kansas City Chiefs in 14.

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.

Both are dual-threat quarterbacks. Drake Maye added 450 rushing yards and Patrick Mahomes chipped in 422, which gives them a higher weekly floor than traditional pocket passers when defenses take away the deep ball. That rushing production is the biggest reason their ceilings look different from drop-back QBs, and it is the stat that typically separates them on tough passing matchups.

Drake Maye has his bye in Week 11, and Patrick Mahomes rests in Week 5. 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: Drake Maye (age 23) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. Patrick Mahomes (age 30) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Drake Maye outscored Patrick Mahomes by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Drake Maye played 17 games in 2025 compared to Patrick Mahomes's 14. That durability gap means Drake Maye contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Drake Maye scored 35 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.1 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 7 years younger than Patrick Mahomes (23 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Drake Maye vs Patrick Mahomes: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDrake MayePatrick Mahomes
PPG (Half-PPR)20.720.4
Games Played1714
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)352286
Passing Yards4,3943,587
Passing TDs3122
Pass Yds/Game258.5256.2
Rushing Yards450422
Rushing TDs45
Total TDs3527
TDs/Game2.11.9
Age2330
Experience1 yrs8 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Drake Maye at 20.7 PPG, 0.3 points per game above Patrick Mahomes's 20.4. 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 Drake Maye or Patrick Mahomes in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Drake Maye has the edge at 20.7 PPG compared to Patrick Mahomes's 20.4 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 Patrick Mahomes average in 2025?

Drake Maye averaged 20.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Patrick Mahomes averaged 20.4 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Drake Maye and Patrick Mahomes's bye weeks in 2026?

Drake Maye (NE) has a bye in Week 11, and Patrick Mahomes (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Drake Maye or Patrick Mahomes a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Drake Maye outscored Patrick Mahomes by 0.3 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.