Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Penix Jr. vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.4 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy play this season.

Michael Penix Jr. is the better play on a neutral week. 13.4 PPG with 2,052 yards gives a reliable baseline. Shedeur Sanders at 10.6 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Michael Penix Jr. higher, but do not fade Shedeur Sanders entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBAtlanta Falcons#29PPG LEADER

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBCleveland Browns#40

Shedeur Sanders

PPG

10.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,400

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

169

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Michael Penix Jr.

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

13.4 PPG10.6 PPG

9 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Michael Penix Jr. is producing at 61% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Michael Penix Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Penix Jr. vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Michael Penix Jr. and Shedeur Sanders is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback put up 13.4 PPG in 2025 over 9 games; Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns averaged 10.6 in 8. A 2.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.8 points favors Michael Penix Jr., though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Michael Penix Jr. threw for 1982 yards and 9 touchdowns, while Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking quarterbacks this deep on your bench, plan your replacement quarterback early.

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. Shedeur Sanders (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Michael Penix Jr. outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Penix Jr. played 9 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders's 8. 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.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Penix Jr. vs Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Penix Jr.	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.4	10.6
Games Played	9	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	85
Passing Yards	1,982	1,400
Passing TDs	9	7
Pass Yds/Game	220.2	175.0
Rushing Yards	70	169
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	10	8
TDs/Game	1.1	1.0
Age	26	24
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

13.4 PPG for Michael Penix Jr. versus 10.6 for Shedeur Sanders in 2025. The baseline favors Michael Penix Jr., though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Penix Jr. or Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Penix Jr. has the edge at 13.4 PPG compared to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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 Michael Penix Jr. and Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 2.8 points per game.

Do Michael Penix Jr. and Shedeur Sanders share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Michael Penix Jr. and Shedeur Sanders share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Michael Penix Jr. or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Michael Penix Jr. outscored Shedeur Sanders by 2.8 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.