Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kirk Cousins vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.4 PPG to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy play this season.

Kirk Cousins has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.9-PPG advantage is real (15.4 to 11.5), and Kirk Cousins's 23 touchdowns show scoring upside. Tua Tagovailoa is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

QBMiami Dolphins#35

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Kirk Cousins

Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

15.4 PPG11.5 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kirk Cousins is producing at 70% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. That ranking gap means Tua Tagovailoa carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kirk Cousins vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

Kirk Cousins and Tua Tagovailoa are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 PPG across 16 games with the Atlanta Falcons, while Tua Tagovailoa posted 11.5 PPG in 14 appearances for the Miami Dolphins.

A 3.9-PPG gap gives Kirk Cousins the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Kirk Cousins threw for 3588 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Tua Tagovailoa posted 2660 yards and 20 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 Tua Tagovailoa is off Week 6. 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

If you can acquire Kirk Cousins at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Tua Tagovailoa is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Kirk Cousins (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Tua Tagovailoa (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Kirk Cousins outscored Tua Tagovailoa by a projected 66 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Tua Tagovailoa's 14. 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 Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kirk Cousins	Tua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.4	11.5
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	246	161
Passing Yards	3,588	2,660
Passing TDs	23	20
Pass Yds/Game	224.3	190.0
Rushing Yards	78	43
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	23	20
TDs/Game	1.4	1.4
Age	-	28
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 6

Summary

Kirk Cousins outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 3.9 PPG in 2025 (15.4 to 11.5). 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 Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kirk Cousins has the edge at 15.4 PPG compared to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 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 Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?▾

Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.9 points per game.

When are Kirk Cousins and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12, and Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kirk Cousins or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 3.9 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.