Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Carson Wentz vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Carson Wentz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.1 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Carson Wentz is the better fantasy play this season.

Carson Wentz has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.5-PPG advantage is real (14.1 to 12.6), and Carson Wentz's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Marcus Mariota is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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

Carson Wentz

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

14.1 PPG12.6 PPG

5 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Carson Wentz: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #26 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Carson Wentz is producing at 64% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Carson Wentz carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Carson Wentz vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Carson Wentz and Marcus Mariota are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Carson Wentz averaged 14.1 PPG across 5 games with the Minnesota Vikings, while Marcus Mariota posted 12.6 PPG in 10 appearances for the Washington Commanders.

A 1.5-PPG gap gives Carson Wentz the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Carson Wentz threw for 1216 yards and 6 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: Carson Wentz sits Week 6 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: Carson Wentz (age 33) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Carson Wentz outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Marcus Mariota played 10 games in 2025 compared to Carson Wentz's 5. That durability gap means Marcus Mariota contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Marcus Mariota scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Carson Wentz vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Carson Wentz	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.1	12.6
Games Played	5	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	71	126
Passing Yards	1,216	1,695
Passing TDs	6	10
Pass Yds/Game	243.2	169.5
Rushing Yards	57	297
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	6	11
TDs/Game	1.2	1.1
Age	33	32
Experience	9 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

Carson Wentz outscored Marcus Mariota by 1.5 PPG in 2025 (14.1 to 12.6). 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 Carson Wentz or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Carson Wentz has the edge at 14.1 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 Carson Wentz and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Carson Wentz averaged 14.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are Carson Wentz and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Carson Wentz (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Carson Wentz or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Carson Wentz outscored Marcus Mariota by 1.5 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.