Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gardner Minshew vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Gardner Minshew is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.4 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Gardner Minshew is the better fantasy play this season.

Gardner Minshew has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.8-PPG advantage is real (12.4 to 10.6), and Gardner Minshew's 15 touchdowns show scoring upside. Shedeur Sanders is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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#40

Shedeur Sanders

PPG

10.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,400

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

169

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Gardner Minshew

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

12.4 PPG10.6 PPG

12 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Gardner Minshew: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Gardner Minshew is producing at 56% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Shedeur Sanders carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gardner Minshew vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

Gardner Minshew and Shedeur Sanders 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 Shedeur Sanders posted 10.6 PPG in 8 appearances for the Cleveland Browns.

A 1.8-PPG gap gives Gardner Minshew 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 Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Gardner Minshew is off Week 10 and Shedeur Sanders Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Shedeur Sanders (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Gardner Minshew outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gardner Minshew played 12 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders's 8. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gardner Minshew vs Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gardner Minshew	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.4	10.6
Games Played	12	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	149	85
Passing Yards	2,420	1,400
Passing TDs	14	7
Pass Yds/Game	201.7	175.0
Rushing Yards	125	169
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	15	8
TDs/Game	1.3	1.0
Age	-	24
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

Gardner Minshew outscored Shedeur Sanders by 1.8 PPG in 2025 (12.4 to 10.6). 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 Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Gardner Minshew has the edge at 12.4 PPG compared to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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 Gardner Minshew and Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are Gardner Minshew and Shedeur Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gardner Minshew (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Shedeur Sanders (CLE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gardner Minshew or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Gardner Minshew outscored Shedeur Sanders by 1.8 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.