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Head to Head

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Caleb Williams vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Caleb Williams is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 18.7 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Caleb Williams is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Caleb Williams outscored Marcus Mariota by 6.1 PPG in 2025 with 31 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Caleb Williams is the clear pick. Marcus Mariota profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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QBChicago Bears#8PPG LEADER
Caleb Williams
PPG
18.7
Games
17
Pass Yds
3,942
Pass TDs
27
Rush Yds
383
Rush TDs
3
Bye
Week 10
QBWashington Commanders#31
Marcus Mariota
PPG
12.6
Games
10
Pass Yds
1,695
Pass TDs
10
Rush Yds
297
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Caleb Williams
Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

18.7 PPG12.6 PPG
17 GP10 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Caleb Williams: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #8 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Caleb Williams is producing at 85% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Caleb Williams carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Caleb Williams vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Caleb Williams put up 18.7 fantasy points per game for the Chicago Bears in 2025, while Marcus Mariota managed 12.6 across 10 games with the Washington Commanders. A 6.1-point weekly edge is substantial at the quarterback position.

That 6.1-point weekly advantage for Caleb Williams 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. Caleb Williams threw for 3942 yards and 27 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: Caleb Williams 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

Caleb Williams is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Marcus Mariota is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Caleb Williams (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?

  • Caleb Williams outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 104 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Caleb Williams played 17 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. That durability gap means Caleb Williams contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Caleb Williams scored 31 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
  • Caleb Williams added 383 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.
  • Caleb Williams is 8 years younger than Marcus Mariota (24 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Caleb Williams vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCaleb WilliamsMarcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)18.712.6
Games Played1710
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)318126
Passing Yards3,9421,695
Passing TDs2710
Pass Yds/Game231.9169.5
Rushing Yards383297
Rushing TDs31
Total TDs3111
TDs/Game1.81.1
Age2432
Experience1 yrs10 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Caleb Williams at 18.7 PPG, 6.1 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 Caleb Williams or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Caleb Williams has the edge at 18.7 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 Caleb Williams and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?

Caleb Williams averaged 18.7 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 6.1 points per game.

When are Caleb Williams and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?

Caleb Williams (CHI) 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 Caleb Williams or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Caleb Williams outscored Marcus Mariota by 6.1 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.