Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Deshaun WatsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Deshaun Watson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.2 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Deshaun Watson is the better fantasy play this season.

Deshaun Watson has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.4-PPG advantage is real (12.2 to 9.8), and Deshaun Watson's 14 touchdowns show scoring upside. Andy Dalton is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Andy Dalton and Deshaun Watson in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBCarolina Panthers#99

Andy Dalton

PPG

9.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,925

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBCleveland Browns#99PPG LEADER

Deshaun Watson

PPG

12.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,105

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

185

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Deshaun Watson

Head to Head

9.8 PPG12.2 PPG

10 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and Deshaun Watson at 55%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Andy Dalton vs Deshaun Watson: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Andy Dalton (Carolina Panthers) finished the 2025 season averaging 9.8 fantasy points per game in 10 games. Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns) came in at 12.2 PPG over 11 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Deshaun Watson carries a 2.4-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. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Deshaun Watson posted 2105 yards and 12 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: Andy Dalton sits Week 11 while Deshaun Watson is off Week 10. 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: Andy Dalton (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Deshaun Watson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Deshaun Watson outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 41 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Deshaun Watson played 11 games in 2025 compared to Andy Dalton's 10. That durability gap means Deshaun Watson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Deshaun Watson scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs Deshaun Watson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Deshaun Watson
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	12.2
Games Played	10	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	134
Passing Yards	1,925	2,105
Passing TDs	10	12
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	191.4
Rushing Yards	42	185
Rushing TDs	0	2
Total TDs	10	14
TDs/Game	1.0	1.3
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Deshaun Watson holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.2 points per game. Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Andy Dalton vs Deshaun Watson

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 Andy Dalton vs Deshaun Watson

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 Andy Dalton or Deshaun Watson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Deshaun Watson has the edge at 12.2 PPG compared to Andy Dalton's 9.8 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 Andy Dalton and Deshaun Watson average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 2.4 points per game.

When are Andy Dalton and Deshaun Watson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Andy Dalton (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Andy Dalton or Deshaun Watson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson outscored Andy Dalton by 2.4 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.