Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cooper Rush vs J.J. McCarthyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

J.J. McCarthy is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.5 PPG to Cooper Rush's 11.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

J.J. McCarthy is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, J.J. McCarthy and Cooper Rush are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.4-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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QBDallas Cowboys#99

Cooper Rush

PPG

11.1

Games

Pass Yds

1,985

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBMinnesota Vikings#32PPG LEADER

J.J. McCarthy

PPG

12.5

Games

Pass Yds

1,632

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

181

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Cooper Rush

J.J. McCarthy

Head to Head

11.1 PPG12.5 PPG

10 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Rush: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Cooper Rush is producing at 50% of elite pace and J.J. McCarthy at 57%. That ranking gap means J.J. McCarthy carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cooper Rush vs J.J. McCarthy: The Full Breakdown

Cooper Rush (11.1 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. Cooper Rush played 10 games for the Dallas Cowboys; J.J. McCarthy suited up 10 times for the Minnesota Vikings.

A 1.4-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. Cooper Rush threw for 1985 yards and 12 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: Cooper Rush sits Week 7 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: Cooper Rush (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. 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?

•J.J. McCarthy outscored Cooper Rush by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•J.J. McCarthy scored 15 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Rush vs J.J. McCarthy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Rush	J.J. McCarthy
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.1	12.5
Games Played	10	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	111	125
Passing Yards	1,985	1,632
Passing TDs	12	11
Pass Yds/Game	198.5	163.2
Rushing Yards	28	181
Rushing TDs	0	4
Total TDs	12	15
TDs/Game	1.2	1.5
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor J.J. McCarthy at 12.5 PPG, 1.4 points per game above Cooper Rush's 11.1. 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 Cooper Rush or J.J. McCarthy in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, J.J. McCarthy has the edge at 12.5 PPG compared to Cooper Rush's 11.1 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 Cooper Rush and J.J. McCarthy average in 2025?▾

Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Cooper Rush and J.J. McCarthy's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cooper Rush (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cooper Rush or J.J. McCarthy a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

J.J. McCarthy outscored Cooper Rush by 1.4 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.