Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy play this season.

Baker Mayfield has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.4-PPG advantage is real (16.0 to 12.6), and Baker Mayfield's 27 touchdowns show scoring upside. Marcus Mariota is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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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

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

Baker Mayfield

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

16.0 PPG12.6 PPG

17 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Baker Mayfield and Marcus Mariota are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 PPG across 17 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Marcus Mariota posted 12.6 PPG in 10 appearances for the Washington Commanders.

A 3.4-PPG gap gives Baker Mayfield the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

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

If you can acquire Baker Mayfield at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Marcus Mariota is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Baker Mayfield (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Baker Mayfield outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota'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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Baker Mayfield vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	12.6
Games Played	17	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	126
Passing Yards	3,693	1,695
Passing TDs	26	10
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	169.5
Rushing Yards	382	297
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	27	11
TDs/Game	1.6	1.1
Age	31	32
Experience	7 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

Baker Mayfield outscored Marcus Mariota by 3.4 PPG in 2025 (16.0 to 12.6). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Baker Mayfield or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 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 Baker Mayfield and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 3.4 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield (TB) 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 Baker Mayfield or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield outscored Marcus Mariota by 3.4 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.