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Head to Head

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Justin Fields vs Lamar JacksonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Justin Fields's 15.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Lamar Jackson edges Justin Fields by 0.6 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, Lamar Jackson 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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QBNew York Jets#20
Justin Fields
PPG
15.9
Games
9
Pass Yds
1,259
Pass TDs
7
Rush Yds
383
Rush TDs
4
Bye
Week 13
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
Justin Fields
Lamar Jackson

Head to Head

15.9 PPG16.5 PPG
9 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Justin Fields: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #20 at the position). Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Justin Fields is producing at 72% of elite pace and Lamar Jackson at 75%. That ranking gap means Lamar Jackson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Justin Fields vs Lamar Jackson: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Justin Fields finished the 2025 season at 15.9 PPG over 9 games with the New York Jets, while Lamar Jackson clocked in at 16.5 across 13 appearances for the Baltimore Ravens. A 0.6-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. Justin Fields threw for 1259 yards and 7 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.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 13 bye. That means you need a backup plan at quarterback for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Justin Fields (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. 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 Justin Fields by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Lamar Jackson played 13 games in 2025 compared to Justin Fields's 9. 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.
  • Justin Fields added 383 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.
  • Both players share a Week 13 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Justin Fields vs Lamar Jackson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJustin FieldsLamar Jackson
PPG (Half-PPR)15.916.5
Games Played913
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)143215
Passing Yards1,2592,549
Passing TDs721
Pass Yds/Game139.9196.1
Rushing Yards383349
Rushing TDs42
Total TDs1123
TDs/Game1.21.8
Age2729
Experience4 yrs7 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 13

Summary

Lamar Jackson outscored Justin Fields by 0.6 PPG in 2025 (16.5 to 15.9). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Justin Fields or Lamar Jackson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Lamar Jackson has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Justin Fields's 15.9 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 Justin Fields and Lamar Jackson average in 2025?

Justin Fields averaged 15.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

Do Justin Fields and Lamar Jackson share a bye week?

Yes, both Justin Fields and Lamar Jackson share a Week 13 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Justin Fields or Lamar Jackson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Lamar Jackson outscored Justin Fields by 0.6 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.

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