Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tua Tagovailoa is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.5 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tua Tagovailoa is the better fantasy play this season.

Tua Tagovailoa is the better play on a neutral week. 11.5 PPG with 2,703 yards gives a reliable baseline. Andy Dalton at 9.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Tua Tagovailoa higher, but do not fade Andy Dalton entirely.

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

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QBCarolina Panthers#99

Andy Dalton

PPG

9.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,925

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBMiami Dolphins#35PPG LEADER

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

9.8 PPG11.5 PPG

10 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. That ranking gap means Tua Tagovailoa carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Andy Dalton vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Andy Dalton and Tua Tagovailoa is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Carolina Panthers quarterback put up 9.8 PPG in 2025 over 10 games; Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins averaged 11.5 in 14. A 1.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.7 points favors Tua Tagovailoa, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 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.

Andy Dalton has his bye in Week 11, and Tua Tagovailoa rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. 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 Andy Dalton by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tua Tagovailoa played 14 games in 2025 compared to Andy Dalton's 10. 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

Andy Dalton vs Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Tua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	11.5
Games Played	10	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	161
Passing Yards	1,925	2,660
Passing TDs	10	20
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	190.0
Rushing Yards	42	43
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	10	20
TDs/Game	1.0	1.4
Age	-	28
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 6

Summary

11.5 PPG for Tua Tagovailoa versus 9.8 for Andy Dalton 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Andy Dalton or Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tua Tagovailoa has the edge at 11.5 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 Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

When are Andy Dalton and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Andy Dalton (CAR) 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 Andy Dalton or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Tua Tagovailoa outscored Andy Dalton by 1.7 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.