Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Tua Tagovailoa vs Tyler ShoughWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Shough is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.4 PPG to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Shough is the better fantasy play this season.

Tyler Shough is the better play on a neutral week. 14.4 PPG with 2,570 yards gives a reliable baseline. Tua Tagovailoa at 11.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Tyler Shough higher, but do not fade Tua Tagovailoa entirely.

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

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QBMiami Dolphins#35

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBNew Orleans Saints#24PPG LEADER

Tyler Shough

PPG

14.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,384

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

186

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Tua Tagovailoa

Tyler Shough

Head to Head

11.5 PPG14.4 PPG

14 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Tyler Shough: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Tua Tagovailoa is producing at 52% of elite pace and Tyler Shough at 65%. That ranking gap means Tyler Shough carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Tua Tagovailoa vs Tyler Shough: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Tua Tagovailoa and Tyler Shough for your lineup, you are not alone. Tua Tagovailoa finished the 2025 season at 11.5 PPG for the Miami Dolphins (14 games), and Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 for the New Orleans Saints (11 games).

That 2.9-point weekly advantage for Tyler Shough 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. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 2660 yards and 20 touchdowns, while Tyler Shough posted 2384 yards and 10 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: Tua Tagovailoa sits Week 6 while Tyler Shough is off Week 8. 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: Tua Tagovailoa (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Tyler Shough (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Shough outscored Tua Tagovailoa by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tua Tagovailoa played 14 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Shough's 11. 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

Tua Tagovailoa vs Tyler Shough: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Tua Tagovailoa	Tyler Shough
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.5	14.4
Games Played	14	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	161	158
Passing Yards	2,660	2,384
Passing TDs	20	10
Pass Yds/Game	190.0	216.7
Rushing Yards	43	186
Rushing TDs	0	3
Total TDs	20	13
TDs/Game	1.4	1.2
Age	28	26
Experience	5 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Tyler Shough at 14.4 PPG, 2.9 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 Tua Tagovailoa or Tyler Shough in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Shough has the edge at 14.4 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 Tua Tagovailoa and Tyler Shough average in 2025?▾

Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 2.9 points per game.

When are Tua Tagovailoa and Tyler Shough's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Tua Tagovailoa or Tyler Shough a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Tyler Shough outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 2.9 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.