Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Geno Smith vs Jayden DanielsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.3 PPG to Geno Smith's 11.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy play this season.

Jayden Daniels is the better play on a neutral week. 16.3 PPG with 1,540 yards gives a reliable baseline. Geno Smith at 11.6 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jayden Daniels higher, but do not fade Geno Smith entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBLas Vegas Raiders#34

Geno Smith

PPG

11.6

Games

Pass Yds

3,025

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

109

Bye

Week 13

QBWashington Commanders#17PPG LEADER

Jayden Daniels

PPG

16.3

Games

Pass Yds

1,262

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

278

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Geno Smith

Jayden Daniels

Head to Head

11.6 PPG16.3 PPG

15 GP7 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Geno Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #34 at the position). Jayden Daniels: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #17 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Geno Smith is producing at 53% of elite pace and Jayden Daniels at 74%. That ranking gap means Jayden Daniels carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Geno Smith vs Jayden Daniels: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Geno Smith and Jayden Daniels for your lineup, you are not alone. Geno Smith finished the 2025 season at 11.6 PPG for the Las Vegas Raiders (15 games), and Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 for the Washington Commanders (7 games).

That 4.7-point weekly advantage for Jayden Daniels is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Geno Smith threw for 3025 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Jayden Daniels posted 1262 yards and 8 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: Geno Smith sits Week 13 while Jayden Daniels is off Week 7. 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

Jayden Daniels is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Geno Smith is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Geno Smith (age 35) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Jayden Daniels (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Jayden Daniels outscored Geno Smith by a projected 80 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Geno Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to Jayden Daniels's 7. That durability gap means Geno Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Geno Smith scored 19 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Jayden Daniels is 10 years younger than Geno Smith (25 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Geno Smith vs Jayden Daniels: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Geno Smith	Jayden Daniels
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.6	16.3
Games Played	15	7
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	174	114
Passing Yards	3,025	1,262
Passing TDs	19	8
Pass Yds/Game	201.7	180.3
Rushing Yards	109	278
Rushing TDs	0	2
Total TDs	19	10
TDs/Game	1.3	1.4
Age	35	25
Experience	12 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jayden Daniels at 16.3 PPG, 4.7 points per game above Geno Smith's 11.6. 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 Geno Smith or Jayden Daniels in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jayden Daniels has the edge at 16.3 PPG compared to Geno Smith's 11.6 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 Geno Smith and Jayden Daniels average in 2025?▾

Geno Smith averaged 11.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 PPG over 7 games. That is a difference of 4.7 points per game.

When are Geno Smith and Jayden Daniels's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Geno Smith (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Jayden Daniels (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Geno Smith or Jayden Daniels a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels outscored Geno Smith by 4.7 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.