Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aidan O'Connell vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aidan O'Connell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

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

This one is genuinely close. Aidan O'Connell edges Marcus Mariota by 0.2 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Aidan O'Connell goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

QBWashington Commanders#31

Marcus Mariota

PPG

12.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,695

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

297

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Aidan O'Connell

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

12.8 PPG12.6 PPG

13 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Aidan O'Connell: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aidan O'Connell is producing at 58% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Marcus Mariota carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aidan O'Connell vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Aidan O'Connell (12.8 PPG) and Marcus Mariota (12.6 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; Marcus Mariota suited up 10 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 0.2-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 Marcus Mariota posted 1695 yards and 10 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 Marcus Mariota is off Week 7. 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. Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Aidan O'Connell outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Aidan O'Connell played 13 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota'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 Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aidan O'Connell	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	12.6
Games Played	13	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	166	126
Passing Yards	2,650	1,695
Passing TDs	16	10
Pass Yds/Game	203.8	169.5
Rushing Yards	68	297
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	16	11
TDs/Game	1.2	1.1
Age	-	32
Experience	-	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Aidan O'Connell holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.8 points per game. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aidan O'Connell or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aidan O'Connell has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 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 Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Aidan O'Connell averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Aidan O'Connell and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aidan O'Connell (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aidan O'Connell or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Aidan O'Connell outscored Marcus Mariota by 0.2 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.