Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gardner Minshew vs Jameis WinstonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Gardner Minshew is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.4 PPG to Jameis Winston's 10.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Gardner Minshew is the better fantasy play this season.

Gardner Minshew is the better play on a neutral week. 12.4 PPG with 2,545 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jameis Winston at 10.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Gardner Minshew higher, but do not fade Jameis Winston entirely.

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

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QBLas Vegas Raiders#99PPG LEADER

Gardner Minshew

PPG

12.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,420

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

125

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBCleveland Browns#99

Jameis Winston

PPG

10.9

Games

Pass Yds

2,125

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Gardner Minshew

Jameis Winston

Head to Head

12.4 PPG10.9 PPG

12 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Gardner Minshew: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Jameis Winston: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Gardner Minshew is producing at 56% of elite pace and Jameis Winston at 50%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Gardner Minshew vs Jameis Winston: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Gardner Minshew and Jameis Winston is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback put up 12.4 PPG in 2025 over 12 games; Jameis Winston of the Cleveland Browns averaged 10.9 in 10. A 1.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.5 points favors Gardner Minshew, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Gardner Minshew threw for 2420 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Jameis Winston posted 2125 yards and 13 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Both share a Week 10 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking quarterbacks this deep on your bench, plan your replacement quarterback early.

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: Gardner Minshew (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Jameis Winston (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Gardner Minshew outscored Jameis Winston by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gardner Minshew played 12 games in 2025 compared to Jameis Winston's 10. That durability gap means Gardner Minshew contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Gardner Minshew scored 15 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Both players share a Week 10 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gardner Minshew vs Jameis Winston: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gardner Minshew	Jameis Winston
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.4	10.9
Games Played	12	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	149	109
Passing Yards	2,420	2,125
Passing TDs	14	13
Pass Yds/Game	201.7	212.5
Rushing Yards	125	45
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	15	14
TDs/Game	1.3	1.4
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 10

Summary

12.4 PPG for Gardner Minshew versus 10.9 for Jameis Winston in 2025. The baseline favors Gardner Minshew, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Gardner Minshew or Jameis Winston in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Gardner Minshew has the edge at 12.4 PPG compared to Jameis Winston's 10.9 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 Gardner Minshew and Jameis Winston average in 2025?▾

Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Jameis Winston averaged 10.9 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

Do Gardner Minshew and Jameis Winston share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Gardner Minshew and Jameis Winston share a Week 10 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Gardner Minshew or Jameis Winston a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Gardner Minshew outscored Jameis Winston by 1.5 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.