Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Cooper Rush vs Geno SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Geno Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.6 PPG to Cooper Rush's 11.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Geno Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Geno Smith edges Cooper Rush by 0.5 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Geno Smith goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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QBDallas Cowboys#99

Cooper Rush

PPG

11.1

Games

Pass Yds

1,985

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBLas Vegas Raiders#34PPG LEADER

Geno Smith

PPG

11.6

Games

Pass Yds

3,025

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

109

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Cooper Rush

Geno Smith

Head to Head

11.1 PPG11.6 PPG

10 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Rush: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Geno Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #34 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Cooper Rush is producing at 50% of elite pace and Geno Smith at 53%. That ranking gap means Geno Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cooper Rush vs Geno Smith: The Full Breakdown

Cooper Rush (11.1 PPG) and Geno Smith (11.6 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. Cooper Rush played 10 games for the Dallas Cowboys; Geno Smith suited up 15 times for the Las Vegas Raiders.

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. Cooper Rush threw for 1985 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Geno Smith posted 3025 yards and 19 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: Cooper Rush sits Week 7 while Geno Smith is off Week 13. 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: Cooper Rush (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Geno Smith (age 35) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Geno Smith outscored Cooper Rush by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Geno Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Rush's 10. That durability gap means Geno Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Geno Smith scored 19 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Rush vs Geno Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Rush	Geno Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.1	11.6
Games Played	10	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	111	174
Passing Yards	1,985	3,025
Passing TDs	12	19
Pass Yds/Game	198.5	201.7
Rushing Yards	28	109
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	12	19
TDs/Game	1.2	1.3
Age	-	35
Experience	-	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 13

Summary

Geno Smith outscored Cooper Rush by 0.5 PPG in 2025 (11.6 to 11.1). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cooper Rush or Geno Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Geno Smith has the edge at 11.6 PPG compared to Cooper Rush's 11.1 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 Cooper Rush and Geno Smith average in 2025?▾

Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Geno Smith averaged 11.6 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Cooper Rush and Geno Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cooper Rush (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Geno Smith (LV) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cooper Rush or Geno Smith a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Geno Smith outscored Cooper Rush 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.