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Lamar Jackson vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Lamar Jackson outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 5.0 PPG in 2025 with 23 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Lamar Jackson is the clear pick. Tua Tagovailoa profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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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
QBMiami Dolphins#35
Tua Tagovailoa
PPG
11.5
Games
14
Pass Yds
2,660
Pass TDs
20
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Lamar Jackson
Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

16.5 PPG11.5 PPG
13 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Lamar Jackson is producing at 75% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. That ranking gap means Lamar Jackson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Lamar Jackson vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa for your lineup, you are not alone. Lamar Jackson finished the 2025 season at 16.5 PPG for the Baltimore Ravens (13 games), and Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 for the Miami Dolphins (14 games).

That 5.0-point weekly advantage for Lamar Jackson 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. Lamar Jackson threw for 2549 yards and 21 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.

Lamar Jackson has his bye in Week 13, and Tua Tagovailoa rests in Week 6. 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

Lamar Jackson is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Tua Tagovailoa is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Lamar Jackson (age 29) 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?

  • Lamar Jackson outscored Tua Tagovailoa by a projected 85 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Tua Tagovailoa played 14 games in 2025 compared to Lamar Jackson's 13. That durability gap means Tua Tagovailoa 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

Lamar Jackson vs Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatLamar JacksonTua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)16.511.5
Games Played1314
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)215161
Passing Yards2,5492,660
Passing TDs2120
Pass Yds/Game196.1190.0
Rushing Yards34943
Rushing TDs20
Total TDs2320
TDs/Game1.81.4
Age2928
Experience7 yrs5 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Lamar Jackson at 16.5 PPG, 5.0 points per game above Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5. 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 Lamar Jackson or Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Lamar Jackson has the edge at 16.5 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 Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?

Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.0 points per game.

When are Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?

Lamar Jackson (BAL) has a bye in Week 13, and Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Lamar Jackson or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Lamar Jackson outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 5.0 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.

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