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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Cooper Rush vs Jaxson DartWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Jaxson Dart over Cooper Rush in 2026.

Jaxson Dart averaged 17.3 PPG in 2025 to Cooper Rush's 11.1, a 6.2 point per game edge. Dart also stayed healthier, playing 14 games to 10, which steadies his weekly floor.

The Bottom Line

Jaxson Dart is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 17.3 PPG and 2,759 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Cooper Rush (11.1 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jaxson Dart as the starter and Cooper Rush as depth.

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

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QBDallas Cowboys#99

Cooper Rush

PPG

11.1

Games

Pass Yds

1,985

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBNew York Giants#14PPG LEADER

Jaxson Dart

PPG

17.3

Games

Pass Yds

2,272

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

487

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Cooper Rush

Jaxson Dart

Head to Head

11.1 PPG17.3 PPG

10 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Rush: Unranked QB. Jaxson Dart: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #14 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Cooper Rush is producing at 50% of elite pace and Jaxson Dart at 79%. That ranking gap means Jaxson Dart carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cooper Rush vs Jaxson Dart: The Full Breakdown

Jaxson Dart and Cooper Rush are at different tiers heading into 2026. The New York Giants quarterback averaged 17.3 PPG in 2025, a full 6.2 points per game ahead of Cooper Rush's 11.1 with the Dallas Cowboys. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

A 6.2-PPG gap gives Jaxson Dart the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Jaxson Dart offers meaningful rushing upside with 487 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Cooper Rush (1985 passing yards, 12 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

Cooper Rush has his bye in Week 7, and Jaxson Dart rests in Week 8. 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

If you can acquire Jaxson Dart at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Cooper Rush is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Cooper Rush (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Jaxson Dart (age 23) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Jaxson Dart outscored Cooper Rush by a projected 105 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaxson Dart played 14 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Rush's 10. That durability gap means Jaxson Dart contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaxson Dart scored 24 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Jaxson Dart added 487 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Rush vs Jaxson Dart: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Rush	Jaxson Dart
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.1	17.3
Games Played	10	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	111	242
Passing Yards	1,985	2,272
Passing TDs	12	15
Pass Yds/Game	198.5	162.3
Rushing Yards	28	487
Rushing TDs	0	9
Total TDs	12	24
TDs/Game	1.2	1.7
Age	-	23
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 8

Summary

Jaxson Dart outscored Cooper Rush by 6.2 PPG in 2025 (17.3 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 Jaxson Dart in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaxson Dart has the edge at 17.3 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 Jaxson Dart average in 2025?▾

Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Jaxson Dart averaged 17.3 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 6.2 points per game.

When are Cooper Rush and Jaxson Dart's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cooper Rush (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Jaxson Dart (NYG) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cooper Rush or Jaxson Dart a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jaxson Dart outscored Cooper Rush by 6.2 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.