Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Penix Jr. vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.4 PPG to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

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

Michael Penix Jr. has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.9-PPG advantage is real (13.4 to 11.5), and Michael Penix Jr.'s 10 touchdowns show scoring upside. Tua Tagovailoa is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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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

QBMiami Dolphins#35

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Michael Penix Jr.

Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

13.4 PPG11.5 PPG

9 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Michael Penix Jr. is producing at 61% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. That ranking gap means Michael Penix Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Penix Jr. vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons) finished the 2025 season averaging 13.4 fantasy points per game in 9 games. Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) came in at 11.5 PPG over 14 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Michael Penix Jr. carries a 1.9-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Michael Penix Jr. threw for 1982 yards and 9 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.

One scheduling note: Michael Penix Jr. is off Week 11 and Tua Tagovailoa Week 6. 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: Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) 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?

•Michael Penix Jr. outscored Tua Tagovailoa by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tua Tagovailoa played 14 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. That durability gap means Tua Tagovailoa contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tua Tagovailoa 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 Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Penix Jr.	Tua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.4	11.5
Games Played	9	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	161
Passing Yards	1,982	2,660
Passing TDs	9	20
Pass Yds/Game	220.2	190.0
Rushing Yards	70	43
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	10	20
TDs/Game	1.1	1.4
Age	26	28
Experience	1 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Michael Penix Jr. holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 13.4 points per game. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Penix Jr. has the edge at 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?▾

Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11, and Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Michael Penix Jr. outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 1.9 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.