Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jayden Daniels vs Joe BurrowWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Jayden Daniels's 16.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Burrow is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Joe Burrow edges Jayden Daniels by 0.5 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, Joe Burrow 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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QBWashington Commanders#17

Jayden Daniels

PPG

16.3

Games

Pass Yds

1,262

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

278

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBCincinnati Bengals#15PPG LEADER

Joe Burrow

PPG

16.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,809

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Jayden Daniels

Joe Burrow

Head to Head

16.3 PPG16.8 PPG

7 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jayden Daniels: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #17 at the position). Joe Burrow: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jayden Daniels is producing at 74% of elite pace and Joe Burrow at 76%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Jayden Daniels vs Joe Burrow: The Full Breakdown

Jayden Daniels (16.3 PPG) and Joe Burrow (16.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Jayden Daniels played 7 games for the Washington Commanders; Joe Burrow suited up 8 times for the Cincinnati Bengals.

A 0.5-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Jayden Daniels threw for 1262 yards and 8 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jayden Daniels sits Week 7 while Joe Burrow is off Week 6. 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

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: Jayden Daniels (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. 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 Jayden Daniels by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Burrow played 8 games in 2025 compared to Jayden Daniels's 7. That durability gap means Joe Burrow contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Joe Burrow scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Jayden Daniels is 4 years younger than Joe Burrow (25 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jayden Daniels vs Joe Burrow: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jayden Daniels	Joe Burrow
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.3	16.8
Games Played	7	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	114	134
Passing Yards	1,262	1,809
Passing TDs	8	17
Pass Yds/Game	180.3	226.1
Rushing Yards	278	41
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total TDs	10	17
TDs/Game	1.4	2.1
Age	25	29
Experience	1 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Joe Burrow holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.8 points per game. Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 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 Jayden Daniels or Joe Burrow in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Burrow has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Jayden Daniels's 16.3 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 Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow average in 2025?▾

Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 7 games in 2025. Joe Burrow averaged 16.8 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Joe Burrow (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jayden Daniels or Joe Burrow a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Joe Burrow outscored Jayden Daniels by 0.5 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.