Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gardner Minshew vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Gardner Minshew is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.4 PPG to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Gardner Minshew is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Gardner Minshew and Tua Tagovailoa are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.9-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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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

QBMiami Dolphins#35

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Gardner Minshew

Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

12.4 PPG11.5 PPG

12 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Gardner Minshew: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Gardner Minshew is producing at 56% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. That ranking gap means Tua Tagovailoa carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gardner Minshew vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Gardner Minshew finished the 2025 season at 12.4 PPG over 12 games with the Las Vegas Raiders, while Tua Tagovailoa clocked in at 11.5 across 14 appearances for the Miami Dolphins. A 0.9-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Gardner Minshew threw for 2420 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Tua Tagovailoa posted 2660 yards and 20 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 Tua Tagovailoa Week 6. 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. Tua Tagovailoa (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Gardner Minshew outscored Tua Tagovailoa by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tua Tagovailoa played 14 games in 2025 compared to Gardner Minshew's 12. That durability gap means Tua Tagovailoa contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tua Tagovailoa scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gardner Minshew vs Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gardner Minshew	Tua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.4	11.5
Games Played	12	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	149	161
Passing Yards	2,420	2,660
Passing TDs	14	20
Pass Yds/Game	201.7	190.0
Rushing Yards	125	43
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	15	20
TDs/Game	1.3	1.4
Age	-	28
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Gardner Minshew at 12.4 PPG, 0.9 points per game above Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5. 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 Gardner Minshew or Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Gardner Minshew has the edge at 12.4 PPG compared to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 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 Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?▾

Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are Gardner Minshew and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gardner Minshew (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gardner Minshew or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Gardner Minshew outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 0.9 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.