Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jalen Hurts vs Kirk Cousins

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Jalen Hurts is the better fantasy play this season.

Jalen Hurts is the better play on a neutral week. 18.8 PPG with 3,645 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 Jalen Hurts 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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QBPhiladelphia Eagles#7PPG LEADER

Jalen Hurts

PPG

18.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,224

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

421

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

QBAtlanta Falcons#99

Kirk Cousins

PPG

15.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,588

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Jalen Hurts

Kirk Cousins

Head to Head

18.8 PPG15.4 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Jalen Hurts: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #7 at the position). Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jalen Hurts is producing at 85% of elite pace and Kirk Cousins at 70%. That ranking gap means Jalen Hurts carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jalen Hurts vs Kirk Cousins: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between Jalen Hurts and Kirk Cousins is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback put up 18.8 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons averaged 15.4 in 16. A 3.4-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.4 points favors Jalen Hurts, 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.

Jalen Hurts offers meaningful rushing upside with 421 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.

One scheduling note: Jalen Hurts is off Week 9 and Kirk Cousins Week 12. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jalen Hurts 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: Jalen Hurts (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?

•Jalen Hurts outscored Kirk Cousins by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jalen Hurts scored 33 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Jalen Hurts added 421 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatHurtsCousins

PPG (Half-PPR)18.815.4

Games Played1616

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)301246

Passing Yards3,2243,588

Passing TDs2523

Pass Yds/Game201.5224.3

Rushing Yards42178

Rushing TDs80

Total TDs3323

TDs/Game2.11.4

Age27-

Experience5 yrs-

Bye WeekWeek 9Week 12

Summary

18.8 PPG for Jalen Hurts versus 15.4 for Kirk Cousins in 2025. The baseline favors Jalen Hurts, 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 Jalen Hurts or Kirk Cousins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jalen Hurts has the edge at 18.8 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 Jalen Hurts and Kirk Cousins average in 2025?▾

Jalen Hurts averaged 18.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 3.4 points per game.

When are Jalen Hurts and Kirk Cousins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jalen Hurts (PHI) has a bye in Week 9, and Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jalen Hurts or Kirk Cousins a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jalen Hurts outscored Kirk Cousins by 3.4 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.