Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jayden Daniels vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.3 PPG to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy play this season.

Jayden Daniels has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.9-PPG advantage is real (16.3 to 13.4), and Jayden Daniels's 10 touchdowns show scoring upside. Michael Penix Jr. is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBWashington Commanders#17PPG LEADER

Jayden Daniels

PPG

16.3

Games

Pass Yds

1,262

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

278

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBAtlanta Falcons#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Jayden Daniels

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

16.3 PPG13.4 PPG

7 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jayden Daniels: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #17 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jayden Daniels is producing at 74% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Jayden Daniels carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jayden Daniels vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders) finished the 2025 season averaging 16.3 fantasy points per game in 7 games. Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons) came in at 13.4 PPG over 9 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Jayden Daniels carries a 2.9-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Jayden Daniels threw for 1262 yards and 8 touchdowns, while Michael Penix Jr. posted 1982 yards and 9 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Jayden Daniels is off Week 7 and Michael Penix Jr. Week 11. 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: Jayden Daniels (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Jayden Daniels outscored Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Penix Jr. played 9 games in 2025 compared to Jayden Daniels's 7. That durability gap means Michael Penix Jr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jayden Daniels scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jayden Daniels vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jayden Daniels	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.3	13.4
Games Played	7	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	114	121
Passing Yards	1,262	1,982
Passing TDs	8	9
Pass Yds/Game	180.3	220.2
Rushing Yards	278	70
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	10	10
TDs/Game	1.4	1.1
Age	25	26
Experience	1 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jayden Daniels holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.3 points per game. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jayden Daniels has the edge at 16.3 PPG compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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 Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 7 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.9 points per game.

When are Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jayden Daniels or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 2.9 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.