Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Bryce Young vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Bryce Young is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.6 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Bryce Young is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Bryce Young and Marcus Mariota are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.0-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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

Bryce Young

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

13.6 PPG12.6 PPG

16 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Bryce Young: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #28 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Bryce Young is producing at 62% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Bryce Young vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Bryce Young (13.6 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. Bryce Young played 16 games for the Carolina Panthers; Marcus Mariota suited up 10 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 1.0-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 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: Bryce Young sits Week 5 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: Bryce Young (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Bryce Young outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Bryce Young played 16 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota'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.
•Bryce Young is 8 years younger than Marcus Mariota (24 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Bryce Young vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bryce Young	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.6	12.6
Games Played	16	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	218	126
Passing Yards	3,011	1,695
Passing TDs	23	10
Pass Yds/Game	188.2	169.5
Rushing Yards	216	297
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	25	11
TDs/Game	1.6	1.1
Age	24	32
Experience	2 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Bryce Young at 13.6 PPG, 1.0 points per game above Marcus Mariota's 12.6. 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Bryce Young or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bryce Young has the edge at 13.6 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 Bryce Young and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Bryce Young averaged 13.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Bryce Young and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bryce Young (CAR) has a bye in Week 5, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Bryce Young or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Bryce Young outscored Marcus Mariota by 1.0 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.