Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jared Goff vs Lamar JacksonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jared Goff is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.5 PPG to Lamar Jackson's 16.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jared Goff is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jared Goff edges Lamar Jackson 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, Jared Goff 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.

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QBDetroit Lions#12PPG LEADER

Jared Goff

PPG

17.5

Games

Pass Yds

4,564

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBBaltimore Ravens#16

Lamar Jackson

PPG

16.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,549

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

349

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Jared Goff

Lamar Jackson

Head to Head

17.5 PPG16.5 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Jared Goff: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #12 at the position). Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jared Goff is producing at 80% of elite pace and Lamar Jackson at 75%. That ranking gap means Jared Goff carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jared Goff vs Lamar Jackson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Jared Goff and Lamar Jackson 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. Jared Goff averaged 17.5 PPG with the Detroit Lions across 17 games, and Lamar Jackson posted 16.5 with the Baltimore Ravens in 13.

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. Jared Goff threw for 4564 yards and 34 touchdowns, while Lamar Jackson posted 2549 yards and 21 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Jared Goff has his bye in Week 6, and Lamar Jackson rests in Week 13. 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: Jared Goff (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Lamar Jackson (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Jared Goff outscored Lamar Jackson by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jared Goff played 17 games in 2025 compared to Lamar Jackson's 13. That durability gap means Jared Goff contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jared Goff scored 34 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Lamar Jackson added 349 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jared Goff vs Lamar Jackson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jared Goff	Lamar Jackson
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.5	16.5
Games Played	17	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	298	215
Passing Yards	4,564	2,549
Passing TDs	34	21
Pass Yds/Game	268.5	196.1
Rushing Yards	45	349
Rushing TDs	0	2
Total TDs	34	23
TDs/Game	2.0	1.8
Age	31	29
Experience	9 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jared Goff holds the PPG edge with solid output at 17.5 points per game. Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jared Goff or Lamar Jackson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jared Goff has the edge at 17.5 PPG compared to Lamar Jackson's 16.5 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 Jared Goff and Lamar Jackson average in 2025?▾

Jared Goff averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Jared Goff and Lamar Jackson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jared Goff (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Lamar Jackson (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jared Goff or Lamar Jackson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jared Goff outscored Lamar Jackson 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.