Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kirk Cousins vs Lamar JacksonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Kirk Cousins's 15.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Lamar Jackson and Kirk Cousins are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

QBBaltimore Ravens#16PPG LEADER

Lamar Jackson

PPG

16.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,549

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

349

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Kirk Cousins

Lamar Jackson

Head to Head

15.4 PPG16.5 PPG

16 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kirk Cousins is producing at 70% 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.

Kirk Cousins vs Lamar Jackson: The Full Breakdown

Kirk Cousins (15.4 PPG) and Lamar Jackson (16.5 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; Lamar Jackson suited up 13 times for the Baltimore Ravens.

A 1.1-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 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Kirk Cousins sits Week 12 while Lamar Jackson is off Week 13. 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. 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 Kirk Cousins by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Lamar Jackson's 13. 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.
•Lamar Jackson added 349 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kirk Cousins vs Lamar Jackson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kirk Cousins	Lamar Jackson
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.4	16.5
Games Played	16	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	246	215
Passing Yards	3,588	2,549
Passing TDs	23	21
Pass Yds/Game	224.3	196.1
Rushing Yards	78	349
Rushing TDs	0	2
Total TDs	23	23
TDs/Game	1.4	1.8
Age	-	29
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 13

Summary

16.5 PPG for Lamar Jackson versus 15.4 for Kirk Cousins in 2025. The baseline favors Lamar Jackson, 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 Kirk Cousins or Lamar Jackson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Lamar Jackson has the edge at 16.5 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 Lamar Jackson average in 2025?▾

Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Kirk Cousins and Lamar Jackson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12, and Lamar Jackson (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kirk Cousins or Lamar Jackson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Lamar Jackson outscored Kirk Cousins by 1.1 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.