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Head to Head

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Kyler Murray vs Lamar JacksonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Kyler Murray's 15.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.9-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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QBArizona Cardinals#22
Kyler Murray
PPG
15.6
Games
5
Pass Yds
962
Pass TDs
6
Rush Yds
173
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 14
QBBaltimore Ravens#16PPG LEADER
Lamar Jackson
PPG
16.5
Games
13
Pass Yds
2,549
Pass TDs
21
Rush Yds
349
Rush TDs
2
Bye
Week 13

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Kyler Murray
Lamar Jackson

Head to Head

15.6 PPG16.5 PPG
5 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Kyler Murray: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kyler Murray is producing at 71% 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.

Kyler Murray vs Lamar Jackson: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Kyler Murray finished the 2025 season at 15.6 PPG over 5 games with the Arizona Cardinals, while Lamar Jackson clocked in at 16.5 across 13 appearances for the Baltimore Ravens. A 0.9-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Kyler Murray threw for 962 yards and 6 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.

One scheduling note: Kyler Murray is off Week 14 and Lamar Jackson Week 13. 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

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: Kyler Murray (age 28) 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 Kyler Murray by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Lamar Jackson played 13 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray's 5. That durability gap means Lamar Jackson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Lamar Jackson scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 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

Kyler Murray vs Lamar Jackson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatKyler MurrayLamar Jackson
PPG (Half-PPR)15.616.5
Games Played513
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)78215
Passing Yards9622,549
Passing TDs621
Pass Yds/Game192.4196.1
Rushing Yards173349
Rushing TDs12
Total TDs723
TDs/Game1.41.8
Age2829
Experience6 yrs7 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 13

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Lamar Jackson at 16.5 PPG, 0.9 points per game above Kyler Murray's 15.6. 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 Kyler Murray or Lamar Jackson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Lamar Jackson has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Kyler Murray's 15.6 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 Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson average in 2025?

Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson's bye weeks in 2026?

Kyler Murray (ARI) has a bye in Week 14, and Lamar Jackson (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kyler Murray or Lamar Jackson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Lamar Jackson outscored Kyler Murray by 0.9 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.