Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kyler Murray vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.6 PPG to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy play this season.

Kyler Murray has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.2-PPG advantage is real (15.6 to 13.4), and Kyler Murray's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. Michael Penix Jr. 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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QBArizona Cardinals#22PPG LEADER

Kyler Murray

PPG

15.6

Games

Pass Yds

962

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

173

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

QBAtlanta Falcons#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Kyler Murray

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

15.6 PPG13.4 PPG

5 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Kyler Murray: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kyler Murray is producing at 71% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Kyler Murray carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kyler Murray vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

Kyler Murray and Michael Penix Jr. are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 PPG across 5 games with the Arizona Cardinals, while Michael Penix Jr. posted 13.4 PPG in 9 appearances for the Atlanta Falcons.

A 2.2-PPG gap gives Kyler Murray 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. Kyler Murray threw for 962 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Michael Penix Jr. posted 1982 yards and 9 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 Michael Penix Jr. Week 11. 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. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Kyler Murray outscored Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Penix Jr. played 9 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray's 5. That durability gap means Michael Penix Jr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Michael Penix Jr. scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kyler Murray vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kyler Murray	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.6	13.4
Games Played	5	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	78	121
Passing Yards	962	1,982
Passing TDs	6	9
Pass Yds/Game	192.4	220.2
Rushing Yards	173	70
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	7	10
TDs/Game	1.4	1.1
Age	28	26
Experience	6 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

Kyler Murray outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 2.2 PPG in 2025 (15.6 to 13.4). 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 Kyler Murray or Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyler Murray has the edge at 15.6 PPG compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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 Kyler Murray and Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are Kyler Murray and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kyler Murray (ARI) has a bye in Week 14, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kyler Murray or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kyler Murray outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 2.2 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.