Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Bryce Young vs J.J. McCarthyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Bryce Young is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.6 PPG to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Bryce Young is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Bryce Young edges J.J. McCarthy by 1.1 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, Bryce Young 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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QBCarolina Panthers#28PPG LEADER

Bryce Young

PPG

13.6

Games

Pass Yds

3,011

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

216

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 5

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

Bryce Young

J.J. McCarthy

Head to Head

13.6 PPG12.5 PPG

16 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Bryce Young: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #28 at the position). J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Bryce Young is producing at 62% of elite pace and J.J. McCarthy at 57%. That ranking gap means Bryce Young carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Bryce Young vs J.J. McCarthy: The Full Breakdown

Bryce Young (13.6 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. Bryce Young played 16 games for the Carolina Panthers; J.J. McCarthy suited up 10 times for the Minnesota Vikings.

A 1.1-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. Bryce Young threw for 3011 yards and 23 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: Bryce Young sits Week 5 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: Bryce Young (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. 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?

•Bryce Young outscored J.J. McCarthy by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Bryce Young played 16 games in 2025 compared to J.J. McCarthy's 10. That durability gap means Bryce Young contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Bryce Young scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Bryce Young vs J.J. McCarthy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bryce Young	J.J. McCarthy
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.6	12.5
Games Played	16	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	218	125
Passing Yards	3,011	1,632
Passing TDs	23	11
Pass Yds/Game	188.2	163.2
Rushing Yards	216	181
Rushing TDs	2	4
Total TDs	25	15
TDs/Game	1.6	1.5
Age	24	23
Experience	2 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 6

Summary

Bryce Young outscored J.J. McCarthy by 1.1 PPG in 2025 (13.6 to 12.5). 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 Bryce Young or J.J. McCarthy in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bryce Young has the edge at 13.6 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 Bryce Young and J.J. McCarthy average in 2025?▾

Bryce Young averaged 13.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Bryce Young and J.J. McCarthy's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bryce Young (CAR) has a bye in Week 5, and J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Bryce Young or J.J. McCarthy a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Bryce Young outscored J.J. McCarthy by 1.1 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.