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Jacoby Brissett vs Kirk CousinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jacoby Brissett is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.2 PPG to Kirk Cousins's 15.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jacoby Brissett is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Jacoby Brissett and Kirk Cousins are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.8-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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QBArizona Cardinals#18PPG LEADER
Jacoby Brissett
PPG
16.2
Games
14
Pass Yds
3,366
Pass TDs
23
Rush Yds
168
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 14
QBAtlanta Falcons#99
Kirk Cousins
PPG
15.4
Games
16
Pass Yds
3,588
Pass TDs
23
Bye
Week 12

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jacoby Brissett
Kirk Cousins

Head to Head

16.2 PPG15.4 PPG
14 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Jacoby Brissett: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #18 at the position). Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jacoby Brissett is producing at 74% of elite pace and Kirk Cousins at 70%. That ranking gap means Jacoby Brissett carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jacoby Brissett vs Kirk Cousins: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Jacoby Brissett finished the 2025 season at 16.2 PPG over 14 games with the Arizona Cardinals, while Kirk Cousins clocked in at 15.4 across 16 appearances for the Atlanta Falcons. A 0.8-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. Jacoby Brissett threw for 3366 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Kirk Cousins posted 3588 yards and 23 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Jacoby Brissett is off Week 14 and Kirk Cousins Week 12. 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: Jacoby Brissett (age 33) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Kirk Cousins (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Jacoby Brissett outscored Kirk Cousins by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jacoby Brissett's 14. That durability gap means Kirk Cousins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Jacoby Brissett scored 24 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jacoby Brissett vs Kirk Cousins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJacoby BrissettKirk Cousins
PPG (Half-PPR)16.215.4
Games Played1416
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)227246
Passing Yards3,3663,588
Passing TDs2323
Pass Yds/Game240.4224.3
Rushing Yards16878
Rushing TDs10
Total TDs2423
TDs/Game1.71.4
Age33-
Experience9 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 12

Summary

16.2 PPG for Jacoby Brissett versus 15.4 for Kirk Cousins in 2025. The baseline favors Jacoby Brissett, 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 Jacoby Brissett or Kirk Cousins in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jacoby Brissett has the edge at 16.2 PPG compared to Kirk Cousins's 15.4 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 Jacoby Brissett and Kirk Cousins average in 2025?

Jacoby Brissett averaged 16.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Jacoby Brissett and Kirk Cousins's bye weeks in 2026?

Jacoby Brissett (ARI) has a bye in Week 14, and Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jacoby Brissett or Kirk Cousins a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Jacoby Brissett outscored Kirk Cousins by 0.8 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.