Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Geno Smith vs Joe BurrowWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Geno Smith's 11.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Joe Burrow outscored Geno Smith by 5.2 PPG in 2025 with 17 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Burrow is the clear pick. Geno Smith profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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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

QBCincinnati Bengals#15PPG LEADER

Joe Burrow

PPG

16.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,809

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Geno Smith

Joe Burrow

Head to Head

11.6 PPG16.8 PPG

15 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Geno Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #34 at the position). Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Geno Smith is producing at 53% of elite pace and Joe Burrow at 76%. That ranking gap means Joe Burrow carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Geno Smith vs Joe Burrow: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Geno Smith and Joe Burrow is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback put up 11.6 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals averaged 16.8 in 8. A 5.2-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.2 points favors Joe Burrow, 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. Geno Smith threw for 3025 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Joe Burrow posted 1809 yards and 17 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Geno Smith has his bye in Week 13, and Joe Burrow rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Joe Burrow 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. Joe Burrow (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Joe Burrow outscored Geno Smith by a projected 88 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Geno Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to Joe Burrow's 8. 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.
•Joe Burrow is 6 years younger than Geno Smith (29 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Geno Smith vs Joe Burrow: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Geno Smith	Joe Burrow
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.6	16.8
Games Played	15	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	174	134
Passing Yards	3,025	1,809
Passing TDs	19	17
Pass Yds/Game	201.7	226.1
Rushing Yards	109	41
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	19	17
TDs/Game	1.3	2.1
Age	35	29
Experience	12 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 6

Summary

16.8 PPG for Joe Burrow versus 11.6 for Geno Smith in 2025. The baseline favors Joe Burrow, 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 Geno Smith or Joe Burrow in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 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 Joe Burrow average in 2025?▾

Geno Smith averaged 11.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 5.2 points per game.

When are Geno Smith and Joe Burrow's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Geno Smith (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Geno Smith or Joe Burrow a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Geno Smith by 5.2 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.