Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Justin Herbert vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Justin Herbert is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.9 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Justin Herbert is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Justin Herbert outscored Shedeur Sanders by 7.3 PPG in 2025 with 28 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Justin Herbert is the clear pick. Shedeur Sanders profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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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

QBCleveland Browns#40

Shedeur Sanders

PPG

10.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,400

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

169

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Justin Herbert

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

17.9 PPG10.6 PPG

16 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Justin Herbert: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #10 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Justin Herbert is producing at 81% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Justin Herbert carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Justin Herbert vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Justin Herbert put up 17.9 fantasy points per game for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025, while Shedeur Sanders managed 10.6 across 8 games with the Cleveland Browns. A 7.3-point weekly edge is substantial at the quarterback position.

That 7.3-point weekly advantage for Justin Herbert 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.

Justin Herbert offers meaningful rushing upside with 498 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Shedeur Sanders (1400 passing yards, 7 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 Shedeur Sanders is off Week 11. 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. Shedeur Sanders 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. Shedeur Sanders (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Justin Herbert outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 124 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Justin Herbert played 16 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders's 8. 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.
•Shedeur Sanders is 4 years younger than Justin Herbert (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Justin Herbert vs Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Justin Herbert	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.9	10.6
Games Played	16	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	286	85
Passing Yards	3,727	1,400
Passing TDs	26	7
Pass Yds/Game	232.9	175.0
Rushing Yards	498	169
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	28	8
TDs/Game	1.8	1.0
Age	28	24
Experience	5 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Justin Herbert at 17.9 PPG, 7.3 points per game above Shedeur Sanders's 10.6. 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 Justin Herbert or Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Justin Herbert has the edge at 17.9 PPG compared to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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 Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

Justin Herbert averaged 17.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 7.3 points per game.

When are Justin Herbert and Shedeur Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Justin Herbert (LAC) has a bye in Week 7, and Shedeur Sanders (CLE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Justin Herbert or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Justin Herbert outscored Shedeur Sanders by 7.3 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.