Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Justin Fields vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Justin Fields is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.9 PPG to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Justin Fields is the better fantasy play this season.

Justin Fields is the better play on a neutral week. 15.9 PPG with 1,642 yards gives a reliable baseline. Michael Penix Jr. at 13.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Justin Fields higher, but do not fade Michael Penix Jr. entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Justin Fields and Michael Penix Jr. in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBNew York Jets#20PPG LEADER

Justin Fields

PPG

15.9

Games

Pass Yds

1,259

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

383

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

QBAtlanta Falcons#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Justin Fields

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

15.9 PPG13.4 PPG

9 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Justin Fields: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #20 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Justin Fields is producing at 72% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Justin Fields carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Justin Fields vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Justin Fields and Michael Penix Jr. for your lineup, you are not alone. Justin Fields finished the 2025 season at 15.9 PPG for the New York Jets (9 games), and Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 for the Atlanta Falcons (9 games).

That 2.5-point weekly advantage for Justin Fields is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Justin Fields threw for 1259 yards and 7 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: Justin Fields is off Week 13 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: Justin Fields (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. 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?

•Justin Fields outscored Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Justin Fields scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Justin Fields vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Justin Fields	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.9	13.4
Games Played	9	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	143	121
Passing Yards	1,259	1,982
Passing TDs	7	9
Pass Yds/Game	139.9	220.2
Rushing Yards	383	70
Rushing TDs	4	1
Total TDs	11	10
TDs/Game	1.2	1.1
Age	27	26
Experience	4 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Justin Fields at 15.9 PPG, 2.5 points per game above Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4. 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Justin Fields vs Michael Penix Jr.

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Justin Fields vs Michael Penix Jr.

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Justin Fields or Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Justin Fields has the edge at 15.9 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 Justin Fields and Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Justin Fields averaged 15.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are Justin Fields and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Justin Fields (NYJ) has a bye in Week 13, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Justin Fields or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Justin Fields outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 2.5 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.