Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Geno Smith vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Geno Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.6 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Geno Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Geno Smith edges Shedeur Sanders by 1.0 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Geno Smith goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Geno Smith and Shedeur Sanders in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBLas Vegas Raiders#34PPG LEADER

Geno Smith

PPG

11.6

Games

Pass Yds

3,025

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

109

Bye

Week 13

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

Geno Smith

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

11.6 PPG10.6 PPG

15 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Geno Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #34 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Geno Smith is producing at 53% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Geno Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Geno Smith vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Geno Smith and Shedeur Sanders is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.0 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Geno Smith averaged 11.6 PPG with the Las Vegas Raiders across 15 games, and Shedeur Sanders posted 10.6 with the Cleveland Browns in 8.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Geno Smith threw for 3025 yards and 19 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.

Geno Smith has his bye in Week 13, and Shedeur Sanders rests in Week 11. 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

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: Geno Smith (age 35) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. 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?

•Geno Smith outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Geno Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders'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.
•Shedeur Sanders is 11 years younger than Geno Smith (24 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Geno Smith vs Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Geno Smith	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.6	10.6
Games Played	15	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	174	85
Passing Yards	3,025	1,400
Passing TDs	19	7
Pass Yds/Game	201.7	175.0
Rushing Yards	109	169
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	19	8
TDs/Game	1.3	1.0
Age	35	24
Experience	12 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Geno Smith holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.6 points per game. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Geno Smith vs Shedeur Sanders

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Geno Smith vs Shedeur Sanders

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Geno Smith or Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Geno Smith has the edge at 11.6 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 Geno Smith and Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

Geno Smith averaged 11.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Geno Smith and Shedeur Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Geno Smith (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Shedeur Sanders (CLE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Geno Smith or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Geno Smith outscored Shedeur Sanders by 1.0 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.