Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Bo Nix vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Bo Nix is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.9 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Bo Nix is the better fantasy play this season.

Bo Nix is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 17.9 PPG and 4,287 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Marcus Mariota (12.6 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Bo Nix as the starter and Marcus Mariota as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBDenver Broncos#11PPG LEADER

Bo Nix

PPG

17.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,931

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

356

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

Bo Nix

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

17.9 PPG12.6 PPG

17 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Bo Nix: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #11 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Bo Nix is producing at 81% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Bo Nix carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Bo Nix vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) finished the 2025 season averaging 17.9 fantasy points per game in 17 games. Marcus Mariota (Washington Commanders) came in at 12.6 PPG over 10 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Bo Nix carries a 5.3-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Bo Nix threw for 3931 yards and 25 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: Bo Nix 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 Bo Nix 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: Bo Nix (age 26) 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?

•Bo Nix outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 90 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Bo Nix played 17 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. That durability gap means Bo Nix contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Bo Nix scored 30 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Bo Nix added 356 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.
•Bo Nix is 6 years younger than Marcus Mariota (26 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Bo Nix vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bo Nix	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.9	12.6
Games Played	17	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	304	126
Passing Yards	3,931	1,695
Passing TDs	25	10
Pass Yds/Game	231.2	169.5
Rushing Yards	356	297
Rushing TDs	5	1
Total TDs	30	11
TDs/Game	1.8	1.1
Age	26	32
Experience	1 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Bo Nix holds the PPG edge with solid output at 17.9 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 Bo Nix or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bo Nix has the edge at 17.9 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 Bo Nix and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Bo Nix averaged 17.9 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 5.3 points per game.

When are Bo Nix and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bo Nix (DEN) 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 Bo Nix or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Bo Nix outscored Marcus Mariota by 5.3 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.