Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Anthony Richardson vs Kirk Cousins

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Anthony Richardson is the better fantasy play this season.

Anthony Richardson is the better play on a neutral week. 19.5 PPG with 3,298 yards gives a reliable baseline. Kirk Cousins at 15.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Anthony Richardson higher, but do not fade Kirk Cousins entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBIndianapolis Colts#99PPG LEADER

Anthony Richardson

PPG

19.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,718

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

580

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

QBAtlanta Falcons#99

Kirk Cousins

PPG

15.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,588

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Anthony Richardson

Kirk Cousins

Head to Head

19.5 PPG15.4 PPG

13 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Anthony Richardson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Anthony Richardson is producing at 89% of elite pace and Kirk Cousins at 70%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Anthony Richardson vs Kirk Cousins: Who Should You Start?

If you are choosing between Anthony Richardson and Kirk Cousins for your lineup, you are not alone. Anthony Richardson finished the 2025 season at 19.5 PPG for the Indianapolis Colts (13 games), and Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 for the Atlanta Falcons (16 games).

That 4.1-point weekly advantage for Anthony Richardson 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.

Anthony Richardson offers meaningful rushing upside with 580 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Kirk Cousins (3588 passing yards, 23 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: Anthony Richardson sits Week 14 while Kirk Cousins is off Week 12. 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

Anthony Richardson is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Kirk Cousins is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Anthony Richardson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Kirk Cousins (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Anthony Richardson outscored Kirk Cousins by a projected 70 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Anthony Richardson's 13. That durability gap means Kirk Cousins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Anthony Richardson scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Anthony Richardson added 580 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatRichardsonCousins

PPG (Half-PPR)19.515.4

Games Played1316

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)254246

Passing Yards2,7183,588

Passing TDs1823

Pass Yds/Game209.1224.3

Rushing Yards58078

Rushing TDs70

Total TDs2523

TDs/Game1.91.4

Bye WeekWeek 14Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Anthony Richardson at 19.5 PPG, 4.1 points per game above Kirk Cousins's 15.4. 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 Anthony Richardson or Kirk Cousins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Anthony Richardson has the edge at 19.5 PPG compared to Kirk Cousins's 15.4 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 Anthony Richardson and Kirk Cousins average in 2025?▾

Anthony Richardson averaged 19.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.1 points per game.

When are Anthony Richardson and Kirk Cousins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Anthony Richardson (IND) has a bye in Week 14, and Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Anthony Richardson or Kirk Cousins a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Anthony Richardson outscored Kirk Cousins by 4.1 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.