Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Carson Wentz vs J.J. McCarthyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Carson Wentz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.1 PPG to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Carson Wentz is the better fantasy play this season.

Carson Wentz is the better play on a neutral week. 14.1 PPG with 1,273 yards gives a reliable baseline. J.J. McCarthy at 12.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Carson Wentz higher, but do not fade J.J. McCarthy entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBMinnesota Vikings#26PPG LEADER

Carson Wentz

PPG

14.1

Games

Pass Yds

1,216

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

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

Carson Wentz

J.J. McCarthy

Head to Head

14.1 PPG12.5 PPG

5 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Carson Wentz: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #26 at the position). J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Carson Wentz is producing at 64% of elite pace and J.J. McCarthy at 57%. That ranking gap means Carson Wentz carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Carson Wentz vs J.J. McCarthy: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy for your lineup, you are not alone. Carson Wentz finished the 2025 season at 14.1 PPG for the Minnesota Vikings (5 games), and J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 for the Minnesota Vikings (10 games).

That 1.6-point weekly advantage for Carson Wentz 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. Carson Wentz threw for 1216 yards and 6 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.

Both share a Week 6 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking quarterbacks this deep on your bench, plan your replacement quarterback early.

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: Carson Wentz (age 33) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. 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?

•Carson Wentz outscored J.J. McCarthy by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•J.J. McCarthy played 10 games in 2025 compared to Carson Wentz's 5. That durability gap means J.J. McCarthy contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•J.J. McCarthy scored 15 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•J.J. McCarthy is 10 years younger than Carson Wentz (23 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
•Both players share a Week 6 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Carson Wentz vs J.J. McCarthy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Carson Wentz	J.J. McCarthy
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.1	12.5
Games Played	5	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	71	125
Passing Yards	1,216	1,632
Passing TDs	6	11
Pass Yds/Game	243.2	163.2
Rushing Yards	57	181
Rushing TDs	0	4
Total TDs	6	15
TDs/Game	1.2	1.5
Age	33	23
Experience	9 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Carson Wentz at 14.1 PPG, 1.6 points per game above J.J. McCarthy's 12.5. 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 Carson Wentz or J.J. McCarthy in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Carson Wentz has the edge at 14.1 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 Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy average in 2025?▾

Carson Wentz averaged 14.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

Do Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Carson Wentz or J.J. McCarthy a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Carson Wentz outscored J.J. McCarthy by 1.6 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.