Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Justin Herbert vs Russell WilsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Justin Herbert is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.9 PPG to Russell Wilson's 14.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Justin Herbert is the better fantasy play this season.

Justin Herbert is the better play on a neutral week. 17.9 PPG with 4,225 yards gives a reliable baseline. Russell Wilson at 14.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Justin Herbert higher, but do not fade Russell Wilson entirely.

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

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QBLos Angeles Chargers#10PPG LEADER

Justin Herbert

PPG

17.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,727

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

498

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBPittsburgh Steelers#99

Russell Wilson

PPG

14.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,890

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

155

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Justin Herbert

Russell Wilson

Head to Head

17.9 PPG14.2 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Justin Herbert: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #10 at the position). Russell Wilson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Justin Herbert is producing at 81% of elite pace and Russell Wilson at 65%. That ranking gap means Justin Herbert carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Justin Herbert vs Russell Wilson: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Los Angeles Chargers quarterback put up 17.9 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 14.2 in 14. A 3.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.7 points favors Justin Herbert, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Justin Herbert offers meaningful rushing upside with 498 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Russell Wilson (2890 passing yards, 18 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Justin Herbert sits Week 7 while Russell Wilson is off Week 9. 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

Justin Herbert is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Russell Wilson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Justin Herbert (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Russell Wilson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Justin Herbert outscored Russell Wilson by a projected 63 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Justin Herbert played 16 games in 2025 compared to Russell Wilson's 14. That durability gap means Justin Herbert contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Justin Herbert scored 28 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Justin Herbert added 498 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Justin Herbert vs Russell Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Justin Herbert	Russell Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.9	14.2
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	286	199
Passing Yards	3,727	2,890
Passing TDs	26	18
Pass Yds/Game	232.9	206.4
Rushing Yards	498	155
Rushing TDs	2	2
Total TDs	28	20
TDs/Game	1.8	1.4
Age	28	-
Experience	5 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 9

Summary

17.9 PPG for Justin Herbert versus 14.2 for Russell Wilson in 2025. The baseline favors Justin Herbert, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Justin Herbert or Russell Wilson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Justin Herbert has the edge at 17.9 PPG compared to Russell Wilson's 14.2 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 Herbert and Russell Wilson average in 2025?▾

Justin Herbert averaged 17.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Russell Wilson averaged 14.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.7 points per game.

When are Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Justin Herbert (LAC) has a bye in Week 7, and Russell Wilson (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Justin Herbert or Russell Wilson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Justin Herbert outscored Russell Wilson by 3.7 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.