Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Penix Jr. vs Russell WilsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Russell Wilson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.2 PPG to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Russell Wilson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Russell Wilson and Michael Penix Jr. are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.8-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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QBAtlanta Falcons#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBPittsburgh Steelers#99PPG LEADER

Russell Wilson

PPG

14.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,890

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

155

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Michael Penix Jr.

Russell Wilson

Head to Head

13.4 PPG14.2 PPG

9 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Russell Wilson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Michael Penix Jr. is producing at 61% of elite pace and Russell Wilson at 65%. That ranking gap means Michael Penix Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Penix Jr. vs Russell Wilson: The Full Breakdown

Michael Penix Jr. (13.4 PPG) and Russell Wilson (14.2 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Michael Penix Jr. played 9 games for the Atlanta Falcons; Russell Wilson suited up 14 times for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A 0.8-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Michael Penix Jr. threw for 1982 yards and 9 touchdowns, while Russell Wilson posted 2890 yards and 18 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: Michael Penix Jr. sits Week 11 while Russell Wilson is off Week 9. 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

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: Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Russell Wilson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Russell Wilson outscored Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Russell Wilson played 14 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. That durability gap means Russell Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Russell Wilson scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Penix Jr. vs Russell Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Penix Jr.	Russell Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.4	14.2
Games Played	9	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	199
Passing Yards	1,982	2,890
Passing TDs	9	18
Pass Yds/Game	220.2	206.4
Rushing Yards	70	155
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	10	20
TDs/Game	1.1	1.4
Age	26	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 9

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Russell Wilson at 14.2 PPG, 0.8 points per game above Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4. 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 Michael Penix Jr. or Russell Wilson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Russell Wilson has the edge at 14.2 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 Michael Penix Jr. and Russell Wilson average in 2025?▾

Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Russell Wilson averaged 14.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Michael Penix Jr. and Russell Wilson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11, and Russell Wilson (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Penix Jr. or Russell Wilson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Russell Wilson outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 0.8 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.