Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Patrick Mahomes vs Tua Tagovailoa

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Patrick Mahomes is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Patrick Mahomes outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 8.9 PPG in 2025 with 27 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Patrick Mahomes is the clear pick. Tua Tagovailoa profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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QBKansas City Chiefs#4PPG LEADER

Patrick Mahomes

PPG

20.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,587

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

422

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBMiami Dolphins#35

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Patrick Mahomes

Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

20.4 PPG11.5 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Patrick Mahomes: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #4 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Patrick Mahomes is producing at 93% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. That ranking gap means Patrick Mahomes carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Patrick Mahomes vs Tua Tagovailoa: Who Should You Start?

The numbers tell a clear story here. Patrick Mahomes put up 20.4 fantasy points per game for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025, while Tua Tagovailoa managed 11.5 across 14 games with the Miami Dolphins. A 8.9-point weekly edge is substantial at the quarterback position.

That 8.9-point weekly advantage for Patrick Mahomes 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.

Patrick Mahomes offers meaningful rushing upside with 422 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Tua Tagovailoa (2660 passing yards, 20 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: Patrick Mahomes sits Week 10 while Tua Tagovailoa 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

Patrick Mahomes is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Tua Tagovailoa is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Patrick Mahomes (age 30) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Tua Tagovailoa (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Patrick Mahomes outscored Tua Tagovailoa by a projected 151 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Patrick Mahomes scored 27 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Patrick Mahomes added 422 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatMahomesTagovailoa

PPG (Half-PPR)20.411.5

Games Played1414

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)286161

Passing Yards3,5872,660

Passing TDs2220

Pass Yds/Game256.2190.0

Rushing Yards42243

Rushing TDs50

Total TDs2720

TDs/Game1.91.4

Age3028

Experience8 yrs5 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 10Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Patrick Mahomes at 20.4 PPG, 8.9 points per game above Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5. 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 Patrick Mahomes or Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Patrick Mahomes has the edge at 20.4 PPG compared to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 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 Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?▾

Patrick Mahomes averaged 20.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 8.9 points per game.

When are Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Patrick Mahomes (KC) has a bye in Week 10, and Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Patrick Mahomes or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Patrick Mahomes outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 8.9 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.