Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs J.J. McCarthyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy play this season.

Baker Mayfield is the better play on a neutral week. 16.0 PPG with 4,075 yards gives a reliable baseline. J.J. McCarthy at 12.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Baker Mayfield higher, but do not fade J.J. McCarthy entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Baker Mayfield and J.J. McCarthy in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19PPG LEADER

Baker Mayfield

PPG

16.0

Games

Pass Yds

3,693

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

382

Rush 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

Baker Mayfield

J.J. McCarthy

Head to Head

16.0 PPG12.5 PPG

17 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and J.J. McCarthy at 57%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs J.J. McCarthy: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Baker Mayfield and J.J. McCarthy for your lineup, you are not alone. Baker Mayfield finished the 2025 season at 16.0 PPG for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (17 games), and J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 for the Minnesota Vikings (10 games).

That 3.5-point weekly advantage for Baker Mayfield 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.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Baker Mayfield threw for 3693 yards and 26 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: Baker Mayfield 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

Baker Mayfield is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. J.J. McCarthy is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Baker Mayfield (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. 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?

•Baker Mayfield outscored J.J. McCarthy by a projected 60 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to J.J. McCarthy's 10. That durability gap means Baker Mayfield contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Baker Mayfield scored 27 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Baker Mayfield added 382 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.
•J.J. McCarthy is 8 years younger than Baker Mayfield (23 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Baker Mayfield vs J.J. McCarthy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	J.J. McCarthy
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	12.5
Games Played	17	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	125
Passing Yards	3,693	1,632
Passing TDs	26	11
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	163.2
Rushing Yards	382	181
Rushing TDs	1	4
Total TDs	27	15
TDs/Game	1.6	1.5
Age	31	23
Experience	7 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Baker Mayfield at 16.0 PPG, 3.5 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Baker Mayfield vs J.J. McCarthy

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Baker Mayfield vs J.J. McCarthy

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Baker Mayfield or J.J. McCarthy in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 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 Baker Mayfield and J.J. McCarthy average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 3.5 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and J.J. McCarthy's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield (TB) 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 Baker Mayfield or J.J. McCarthy a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield outscored J.J. McCarthy by 3.5 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.