Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gardner Minshew vs Lamar JacksonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy play this season.

Lamar Jackson has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.1-PPG advantage is real (16.5 to 12.4), and Lamar Jackson's 23 touchdowns show scoring upside. Gardner Minshew 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.

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QBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Gardner Minshew

PPG

12.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,420

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

125

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBBaltimore Ravens#16PPG LEADER

Lamar Jackson

PPG

16.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,549

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

349

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Gardner Minshew

Lamar Jackson

Head to Head

12.4 PPG16.5 PPG

12 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Gardner Minshew: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Gardner Minshew is producing at 56% of elite pace and Lamar Jackson at 75%. That ranking gap means Lamar Jackson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gardner Minshew vs Lamar Jackson: The Full Breakdown

Gardner Minshew and Lamar Jackson are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 PPG across 12 games with the Las Vegas Raiders, while Lamar Jackson posted 16.5 PPG in 13 appearances for the Baltimore Ravens.

A 4.1-PPG gap gives Lamar Jackson 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. Gardner Minshew threw for 2420 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Lamar Jackson posted 2549 yards and 21 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: Gardner Minshew sits Week 10 while Lamar Jackson is off Week 13. 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

If you can acquire Lamar Jackson at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Gardner Minshew is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Gardner Minshew (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Lamar Jackson (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Lamar Jackson outscored Gardner Minshew by a projected 70 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Lamar Jackson played 13 games in 2025 compared to Gardner Minshew's 12. That durability gap means Lamar Jackson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Lamar Jackson scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Lamar Jackson added 349 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gardner Minshew vs Lamar Jackson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gardner Minshew	Lamar Jackson
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.4	16.5
Games Played	12	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	149	215
Passing Yards	2,420	2,549
Passing TDs	14	21
Pass Yds/Game	201.7	196.1
Rushing Yards	125	349
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	15	23
TDs/Game	1.3	1.8
Age	-	29
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 13

Summary

Lamar Jackson outscored Gardner Minshew by 4.1 PPG in 2025 (16.5 to 12.4). 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Gardner Minshew or Lamar Jackson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Lamar Jackson has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 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 Gardner Minshew and Lamar Jackson average in 2025?▾

Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 4.1 points per game.

When are Gardner Minshew and Lamar Jackson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gardner Minshew (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Lamar Jackson (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gardner Minshew or Lamar Jackson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Lamar Jackson outscored Gardner Minshew by 4.1 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.