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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Justin Herbert vs Kyler MurrayWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Justin Herbert over Kyler Murray in 2026.

Justin Herbert averaged 17.9 PPG in 2025 to Kyler Murray's 15.6, a 2.3 point per game edge. Herbert also stayed healthier, playing 16 games to 5, which steadies his weekly floor. Justin Herbert is Tier 3 at the position, Kyler Murray is Tier 4.

The Bottom Line

Justin Herbert has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.3-PPG advantage is real (17.9 to 15.6), and Justin Herbert's 28 touchdowns show scoring upside. Kyler Murray 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.

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QBLos Angeles Chargers#10PPG LEADER

Justin Herbert

PPG

17.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,727

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

498

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBArizona Cardinals#22

Kyler Murray

PPG

15.6

Games

Pass Yds

962

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

173

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Justin Herbert

Kyler Murray

Head to Head

17.9 PPG15.6 PPG

16 GP5 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Justin Herbert: Tier 3 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #10 at the position). Kyler Murray: Tier 4 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Justin Herbert is producing at 81% of elite pace and Kyler Murray at 71%. That ranking gap means Justin Herbert carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Justin Herbert vs Kyler Murray: The Full Breakdown

Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Justin Herbert averaged 17.9 PPG across 16 games with the Los Angeles Chargers, while Kyler Murray posted 15.6 PPG in 5 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 2.3-PPG gap gives Justin Herbert 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.

Justin Herbert offers meaningful rushing upside with 498 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Kyler Murray (962 passing yards, 6 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Justin Herbert sits Week 7 while Kyler Murray is off Week 14. 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: Justin Herbert (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Kyler Murray (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Justin Herbert outscored Kyler Murray by a projected 39 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Justin Herbert played 16 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray's 5. That durability gap means Justin Herbert contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Justin Herbert scored 28 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Justin Herbert added 498 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Justin Herbert vs Kyler Murray: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Justin Herbert	Kyler Murray
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.9	15.6
Games Played	16	5
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	286	78
Passing Yards	3,727	962
Passing TDs	26	6
Pass Yds/Game	232.9	192.4
Rushing Yards	498	173
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	28	7
TDs/Game	1.8	1.4
Age	28	29
Experience	5 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 14

Summary

Justin Herbert outscored Kyler Murray by 2.3 PPG in 2025 (17.9 to 15.6). 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 Justin Herbert or Kyler Murray in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Justin Herbert has the edge at 17.9 PPG compared to Kyler Murray's 15.6 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 Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray average in 2025?▾

Justin Herbert averaged 17.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 PPG over 5 games. That is a difference of 2.3 points per game.

When are Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Justin Herbert (LAC) has a bye in Week 7, and Kyler Murray (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Justin Herbert or Kyler Murray a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Justin Herbert outscored Kyler Murray by 2.3 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.