Deshaun Watson 2026 fantasy outlook and rest-of-season projection
- Age
- 31
- Height / weight
- 6'3", 223 lb
- Experience
- 10th season
2026 Season
- PPR PPG
- 17.2
- Pos rank
- QB1
- Rostered
- 16%
Week 5 at Jets, Sun Oct 11, 1:00 PM ET 24th vs. QBs, tough
Deshaun Watson Rest-of-Season Outlook
Dual-threat QB1 every week
Preseason Projection vs. Reality
Our Take After Week 4
Through 4 games he's QB1 at 17.2 PPR points per game.
Last season he ranked 16th of 41 in passing volume (30.9 attempts per game), 39th of 41 in efficiency (-0.23 EPA per play) and 14th of 41 in rushing (21.1 rush yards per game). His points come from his rushing. Efficiency is the soft spot. KC Concepcion and Harold Fannin are his top two targets.
The job is secure: he's the listed starter and one of the best at his position. The main risk is health, and Shedeur Sanders is next on the depth chart if he misses time.
Read our preseason outlook (June 2026)
Published June 16, 2026. Kept for reference; the take above replaces it.
The efficiency profile is alarming. Across seven 2024 games Watson posted a brutal minus-0.23 EPA per play and a 34.3% success rate, finishing as QB39 with just five touchdowns against three picks. His 78.7% on-target mark and minus-2.2 CPOE show the accuracy slipped, and a 31.9% pressure rate with 33 sacks meant he never operated cleanly. The 2023 sample was only marginally better: minus-0.09 EPA and a 41.6% success rate over six starts.
The rushing equity that once propped up his ceiling has evaporated, leaving 148 yards and one score on 31 carries in 2024. He enters camp in an open competition for the starting job, drafted around QB32 in single-QB formats where he carries no standalone value. An upgraded receiving corps offers a faint path back, but until the efficiency stabilizes, he is a Superflex dart at best and nothing more.
What Drives His Outlook
His 2024 rank among the 41 quarterbacks who played at least six games. Each bar is one quarterback, best on the left; his is highlighted.
Passing volume
Efficiency
Rushing
- Success rate
- 34.3%
- CPOE
- −2.2
- Sacks taken
- 33
- Pressure rate
- 31.9%
- Bad-throw rate
- 16.1%
- Deep-attempt rate
- 7.6%
What Could Change His Value
Upside
- The scheduleNone of his next four opponents is a top-10 matchup for QBs.Wk 5 NYJ, 24thWk 6 BAL, 19thWk 7 TEN, 31stWk 8 PIT, 26th
- Major rushing21.1 rush yards per game, 14th of 41 QBs in 2024.
Risk
- HealthHis role is secure; if he misses time, Shedeur Sanders is next on the depth chart.
- Weak efficiency-0.23 EPA per play, 39th of 41 QBs in 2024.
- Tough matchupsThe Jets in Week 5 (24th) and the Titans in Week 7 (31st) are among the stingiest defenses against QBs.
All Deshaun Watson stats & analysis
QBs like Deshaun Watson
QB1You are hereDeshaun WatsonBrowns17.2 PPG
QB2Aaron RodgersSteelers16.3 PPG
Deshaun Watson Fantasy Outlook FAQ
What is Deshaun Watson's fantasy outlook for the rest of the 2026 season?
Deshaun Watson projects as a dual-threat QB1 every week for the rest of the 2026 season: a weekly starter in superflex and 2QB, 12-team 1QB and 10-team 1QB leagues. His rushing (21.1 rush yards per game, 14th of 41 QBs in 2024) supports that. His efficiency (-0.23 EPA per play, 39th of 41 QBs in 2024) holds him back. See his live rank in Redraft Command.
What is Deshaun Watson's rest-of-season fantasy ranking?
Deshaun Watson is the QB1 in PPR points per game through Week 4. That puts him in QB1 territory, a weekly starter in 12-team 1QB leagues.
What is Deshaun Watson's projected role going forward?
Deshaun Watson is the listed starting QB, with Shedeur Sanders next on the depth chart. Nothing on the chart threatens the job, so the role is his to lose on performance.
Will Deshaun Watson get more pass attempts?
Deshaun Watson's pass attempts are trending up: 31.5 a game over his last two games against 28.8 for the season. Game script drives much of that, and trailing teams throw more.
What is Deshaun Watson's fantasy football upside?
Deshaun Watson's upside: his ceiling this season is 20.3 PPR points (Week 3, QB15) and his rushing (21.1 rush yards per game, 14th of 41 QBs in 2024) gives him a weekly floor to build on.
What could hurt Deshaun Watson's fantasy value?
Deshaun Watson's risks: Shedeur Sanders is next on the depth chart if he is benched or hurt, his efficiency (-0.23 EPA per play, 39th of 41 QBs in 2024) limits his scoring and the Jets in Week 5 and the Titans in Week 7 are tough matchups. See his injury status and history.
How difficult is Deshaun Watson's remaining fantasy schedule?
Difficult: of his next seven games, 1 comes against a top-10 matchup for QBs and 3 against one of the stingiest defenses, by PPR points allowed to the position.