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Head to Head

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Jayden Daniels vs Lamar JacksonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Jayden Daniels's 16.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.2-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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QBWashington Commanders#17
Jayden Daniels
PPG
16.3
Games
7
Pass Yds
1,262
Pass TDs
8
Rush Yds
278
Rush TDs
2
Bye
Week 7
QBBaltimore Ravens#16PPG LEADER
Lamar Jackson
PPG
16.5
Games
13
Pass Yds
2,549
Pass TDs
21
Rush Yds
349
Rush TDs
2
Bye
Week 13

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jayden Daniels
Lamar Jackson

Head to Head

16.3 PPG16.5 PPG
7 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Jayden Daniels: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #17 at the position). Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jayden Daniels is producing at 74% of elite pace and Lamar Jackson at 75%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Jayden Daniels vs Lamar Jackson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Jayden Daniels and Lamar Jackson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 PPG with the Washington Commanders across 7 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. Jayden Daniels threw for 1262 yards and 8 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.

Jayden Daniels has his bye in Week 7, 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: Jayden Daniels (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. Lamar Jackson (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Lamar Jackson outscored Jayden Daniels by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Lamar Jackson played 13 games in 2025 compared to Jayden Daniels's 7. That durability gap means Lamar Jackson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Lamar Jackson scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 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.
  • Jayden Daniels is 4 years younger than Lamar Jackson (25 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jayden Daniels vs Lamar Jackson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJayden DanielsLamar Jackson
PPG (Half-PPR)16.316.5
Games Played713
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)114215
Passing Yards1,2622,549
Passing TDs821
Pass Yds/Game180.3196.1
Rushing Yards278349
Rushing TDs22
Total TDs1023
TDs/Game1.41.8
Age2529
Experience1 yrs7 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 13

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Lamar Jackson at 16.5 PPG, 0.2 points per game above Jayden Daniels's 16.3. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jayden Daniels or Lamar Jackson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Lamar Jackson has the edge at 16.5 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 Lamar Jackson average in 2025?

Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 7 games in 2025. Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Jayden Daniels and Lamar Jackson's bye weeks in 2026?

Jayden Daniels (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Lamar Jackson (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jayden Daniels or Lamar Jackson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Lamar Jackson outscored Jayden Daniels by 0.2 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.