Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kirk Cousins vs Kyler MurrayWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.6 PPG to Kirk Cousins's 15.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Kyler Murray edges Kirk Cousins by 0.2 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, Kyler Murray 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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QBAtlanta Falcons#99

Kirk Cousins

PPG

15.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,588

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBArizona Cardinals#22PPG LEADER

Kyler Murray

PPG

15.6

Games

Pass Yds

962

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

173

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Kirk Cousins

Kyler Murray

Head to Head

15.4 PPG15.6 PPG

16 GP5 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Kyler Murray: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kirk Cousins is producing at 70% of elite pace and Kyler Murray at 71%. That ranking gap means Kyler Murray carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kirk Cousins vs Kyler Murray: The Full Breakdown

Kirk Cousins (15.4 PPG) and Kyler Murray (15.6 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Kirk Cousins played 16 games for the Atlanta Falcons; Kyler Murray suited up 5 times for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 0.2-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Kirk Cousins threw for 3588 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Kyler Murray posted 962 yards and 6 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Kirk Cousins sits Week 12 while Kyler Murray is off Week 14. 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

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: Kirk Cousins (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Kyler Murray (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Kyler Murray outscored Kirk Cousins by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray's 5. That durability gap means Kirk Cousins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kirk Cousins scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kirk Cousins vs Kyler Murray: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kirk Cousins	Kyler Murray
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.4	15.6
Games Played	16	5
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	246	78
Passing Yards	3,588	962
Passing TDs	23	6
Pass Yds/Game	224.3	192.4
Rushing Yards	78	173
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	23	7
TDs/Game	1.4	1.4
Age	-	28
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 14

Summary

Kyler Murray outscored Kirk Cousins by 0.2 PPG in 2025 (15.6 to 15.4). 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 Kirk Cousins or Kyler Murray in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyler Murray has the edge at 15.6 PPG compared to Kirk Cousins's 15.4 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 Kirk Cousins and Kyler Murray average in 2025?▾

Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 PPG over 5 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Kirk Cousins and Kyler Murray's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12, and Kyler Murray (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kirk Cousins or Kyler Murray a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kyler Murray outscored Kirk Cousins by 0.2 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.