Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kirk Cousins vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.4 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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. Shedeur Sanders at 10.6 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Kirk Cousins higher, but do not fade Shedeur Sanders 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

Pass Yds

3,588

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

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

Kirk Cousins

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

15.4 PPG10.6 PPG

16 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kirk Cousins is producing at 70% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Shedeur Sanders carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kirk Cousins vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Kirk Cousins and Shedeur Sanders for your lineup, you are not alone. Kirk Cousins finished the 2025 season at 15.4 PPG for the Atlanta Falcons (16 games), and Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 for the Cleveland Browns (8 games).

That 4.8-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 Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Kirk Cousins has his bye in Week 12, and Shedeur Sanders rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Kirk Cousins 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: Kirk Cousins (age 27) 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?

•Kirk Cousins outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 82 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders's 8. 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 Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kirk Cousins	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.4	10.6
Games Played	16	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	246	85
Passing Yards	3,588	1,400
Passing TDs	23	7
Pass Yds/Game	224.3	175.0
Rushing Yards	78	169
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	23	8
TDs/Game	1.4	1.0
Age	-	24
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kirk Cousins at 15.4 PPG, 4.8 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 Kirk Cousins or Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kirk Cousins has the edge at 15.4 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 Kirk Cousins and Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 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 4.8 points per game.

When are Kirk Cousins and Shedeur Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12, and Shedeur Sanders (CLE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kirk Cousins or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins outscored Shedeur Sanders by 4.8 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.