DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Spencer Rattler vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tua Tagovailoa is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.5 PPG to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tua Tagovailoa is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Tua Tagovailoa and Spencer Rattler are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.5-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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Spencer Rattler and Tua Tagovailoa in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
QBNew Orleans Saints#38
Spencer Rattler
PPG
11.0
Games
9
Pass Yds
1,586
Pass TDs
8
Rush Yds
167
Bye
Week 8
QBMiami Dolphins#35PPG LEADER
Tua Tagovailoa
PPG
11.5
Games
14
Pass Yds
2,660
Pass TDs
20
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Spencer Rattler
Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

11.0 PPG11.5 PPG
9 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Spencer Rattler: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #38 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Spencer Rattler is producing at 50% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Spencer Rattler vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

Spencer Rattler (11.0 PPG) and Tua Tagovailoa (11.5 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. Spencer Rattler played 9 games for the New Orleans Saints; Tua Tagovailoa suited up 14 times for the Miami Dolphins.

A 0.5-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. Spencer Rattler threw for 1586 yards and 8 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Spencer Rattler sits Week 8 while Tua Tagovailoa is off Week 6. 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: Spencer Rattler (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. Tua Tagovailoa (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Tua Tagovailoa outscored Spencer Rattler by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Tua Tagovailoa played 14 games in 2025 compared to Spencer Rattler'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

Spencer Rattler vs Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatSpencer RattlerTua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)11.011.5
Games Played914
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)99161
Passing Yards1,5862,660
Passing TDs820
Pass Yds/Game176.2190.0
Rushing Yards16743
Rushing TDs00
Total TDs820
TDs/Game0.91.4
Age2528
Experience1 yrs5 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 6

Summary

11.5 PPG for Tua Tagovailoa versus 11.0 for Spencer Rattler in 2025. The baseline favors Tua Tagovailoa, 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Spencer Rattler vs Tua Tagovailoa

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Spencer Rattler vs Tua Tagovailoa

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Spencer Rattler or Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Tua Tagovailoa has the edge at 11.5 PPG compared to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 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 Spencer Rattler and Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?

Spencer Rattler averaged 11.0 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 0.5 points per game.

When are Spencer Rattler and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?

Spencer Rattler (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Spencer Rattler or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Tua Tagovailoa outscored Spencer Rattler by 0.5 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.