Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Jayden DanielsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.3 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jayden Daniels outscored Andy Dalton by 6.5 PPG in 2025 with 10 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jayden Daniels is the clear pick. Andy Dalton profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBCarolina Panthers#99

Andy Dalton

PPG

9.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,925

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBWashington Commanders#17PPG LEADER

Jayden Daniels

PPG

16.3

Games

Pass Yds

1,262

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

278

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Jayden Daniels

Head to Head

9.8 PPG16.3 PPG

10 GP7 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Jayden Daniels: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #17 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and Jayden Daniels at 74%. That ranking gap means Jayden Daniels carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Andy Dalton vs Jayden Daniels: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two quarterbacks. Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders) averaged 16.3 PPG over 7 games in 2025, outscoring Andy Dalton (Carolina Panthers, 9.8 PPG) by 6.5 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 6.5-point weekly advantage for Jayden Daniels 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. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Jayden Daniels posted 1262 yards and 8 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Andy Dalton is off Week 11 and Jayden Daniels Week 7. 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

Jayden Daniels is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Andy Dalton is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Andy Dalton (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Jayden Daniels (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Jayden Daniels outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 111 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Andy Dalton played 10 games in 2025 compared to Jayden Daniels's 7. That durability gap means Andy Dalton contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Andy Dalton scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs Jayden Daniels: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Jayden Daniels
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	16.3
Games Played	10	7
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	114
Passing Yards	1,925	1,262
Passing TDs	10	8
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	180.3
Rushing Yards	42	278
Rushing TDs	0	2
Total TDs	10	10
TDs/Game	1.0	1.4
Age	-	25
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jayden Daniels at 16.3 PPG, 6.5 points per game above Andy Dalton's 9.8. 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 Andy Dalton or Jayden Daniels in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jayden Daniels has the edge at 16.3 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 Jayden Daniels average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 PPG over 7 games. That is a difference of 6.5 points per game.

When are Andy Dalton and Jayden Daniels's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Andy Dalton (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Jayden Daniels (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Andy Dalton or Jayden Daniels a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels outscored Andy Dalton by 6.5 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.