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Head to Head

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Kirk Cousins vs Mac JonesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.4 PPG to Mac Jones's 11.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy play this season.

Kirk Cousins is the better play on a neutral week. 15.4 PPG with 3,666 yards gives a reliable baseline. Mac Jones at 11.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Kirk Cousins higher, but do not fade Mac Jones entirely.

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

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QBAtlanta Falcons#99PPG LEADER
Kirk Cousins
PPG
15.4
Games
16
Pass Yds
3,588
Pass TDs
23
Bye
Week 12
QBSan Francisco 49ers#33
Mac Jones
PPG
11.8
Games
11
Pass Yds
2,151
Pass TDs
13
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Kirk Cousins
Mac Jones

Head to Head

15.4 PPG11.8 PPG
16 GP11 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kirk Cousins is producing at 70% of elite pace and Mac Jones at 54%. That ranking gap means Mac Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kirk Cousins vs Mac Jones: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Kirk Cousins and Mac Jones for your lineup, you are not alone. Kirk Cousins finished the 2025 season at 15.4 PPG for the Atlanta Falcons (16 games), and Mac Jones averaged 11.8 for the San Francisco 49ers (11 games).

That 3.6-point weekly advantage for Kirk Cousins 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. Kirk Cousins threw for 3588 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Mac Jones posted 2151 yards and 13 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Kirk Cousins is off Week 12 and Mac Jones Week 8. 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

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

Did You Know?

  • Kirk Cousins outscored Mac Jones by a projected 61 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Mac Jones's 11. 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 Mac Jones: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatKirk CousinsMac Jones
PPG (Half-PPR)15.411.8
Games Played1611
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)246130
Passing Yards3,5882,151
Passing TDs2313
Pass Yds/Game224.3195.5
Rushing Yards7860
Rushing TDs00
Total TDs2313
TDs/Game1.41.2
Age-27
Experience-4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 12Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kirk Cousins at 15.4 PPG, 3.6 points per game above Mac Jones's 11.8. 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 Kirk Cousins or Mac Jones in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Kirk Cousins has the edge at 15.4 PPG compared to Mac Jones's 11.8 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 Mac Jones average in 2025?

Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 3.6 points per game.

When are Kirk Cousins and Mac Jones's bye weeks in 2026?

Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12, and Mac Jones (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kirk Cousins or Mac Jones a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Kirk Cousins outscored Mac Jones by 3.6 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.