Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aidan O'Connell vs J.J. McCarthyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aidan O'Connell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Aidan O'Connell is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Aidan O'Connell and J.J. McCarthy are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBLas Vegas Raiders#99PPG LEADER

Aidan O'Connell

PPG

12.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,650

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBMinnesota Vikings#32

J.J. McCarthy

PPG

12.5

Games

Pass Yds

1,632

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

181

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Aidan O'Connell

J.J. McCarthy

Head to Head

12.8 PPG12.5 PPG

13 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Aidan O'Connell: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aidan O'Connell is producing at 58% of elite pace and J.J. McCarthy at 57%. That ranking gap means J.J. McCarthy carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aidan O'Connell vs J.J. McCarthy: The Full Breakdown

Aidan O'Connell (12.8 PPG) and J.J. McCarthy (12.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Aidan O'Connell played 13 games for the Las Vegas Raiders; J.J. McCarthy suited up 10 times for the Minnesota Vikings.

A 0.3-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Aidan O'Connell threw for 2650 yards and 16 touchdowns, while J.J. McCarthy posted 1632 yards and 11 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Aidan O'Connell sits Week 10 while J.J. McCarthy is off Week 6. 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: Aidan O'Connell (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. J.J. McCarthy (age 23) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Aidan O'Connell outscored J.J. McCarthy by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Aidan O'Connell played 13 games in 2025 compared to J.J. McCarthy's 10. That durability gap means Aidan O'Connell contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Aidan O'Connell scored 16 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aidan O'Connell vs J.J. McCarthy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aidan O'Connell	J.J. McCarthy
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	12.5
Games Played	13	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	166	125
Passing Yards	2,650	1,632
Passing TDs	16	11
Pass Yds/Game	203.8	163.2
Rushing Yards	68	181
Rushing TDs	0	4
Total TDs	16	15
TDs/Game	1.2	1.5
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Aidan O'Connell at 12.8 PPG, 0.3 points per game above J.J. McCarthy's 12.5. 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 Aidan O'Connell or J.J. McCarthy in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aidan O'Connell has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 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 Aidan O'Connell and J.J. McCarthy average in 2025?▾

Aidan O'Connell averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Aidan O'Connell and J.J. McCarthy's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aidan O'Connell (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aidan O'Connell or J.J. McCarthy a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Aidan O'Connell outscored J.J. McCarthy by 0.3 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.