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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Cooper Rush vs Mac JonesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Mac Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.8 PPG to Cooper Rush's 11.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Mac Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Mac Jones edges Cooper Rush by 0.7 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Mac Jones goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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
10
Pass Yds
1,985
Pass TDs
12
Bye
Week 7
QBSan Francisco 49ers#33PPG LEADER
Mac Jones
PPG
11.8
Games
11
Pass Yds
2,151
Pass TDs
13
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cooper Rush
Mac Jones

Head to Head

11.1 PPG11.8 PPG
10 GP11 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Rush: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Cooper Rush is producing at 50% of elite pace and Mac Jones at 54%. That ranking gap means Mac Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cooper Rush vs Mac Jones: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Cooper Rush and Mac Jones is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.7 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 PPG with the Dallas Cowboys across 10 games, and Mac Jones posted 11.8 with the San Francisco 49ers in 11.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Cooper Rush threw for 1985 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Mac Jones posted 2151 yards and 13 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Cooper Rush has his bye in Week 7, and Mac Jones rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. Mac Jones (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Mac Jones outscored Cooper Rush by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Mac Jones played 11 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Rush's 10. That durability gap means Mac Jones contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Mac Jones scored 13 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Rush vs Mac Jones: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCooper RushMac Jones
PPG (Half-PPR)11.111.8
Games Played1011
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)111130
Passing Yards1,9852,151
Passing TDs1213
Pass Yds/Game198.5195.5
Rushing Yards2860
Rushing TDs00
Total TDs1213
TDs/Game1.21.2
Age-27
Experience-4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 8

Summary

Mac Jones outscored Cooper Rush by 0.7 PPG in 2025 (11.8 to 11.1). 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 Cooper Rush or Mac Jones in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Mac Jones has the edge at 11.8 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 Mac Jones average in 2025?

Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Cooper Rush and Mac Jones's bye weeks in 2026?

Cooper Rush (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Mac Jones (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cooper Rush or Mac Jones a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Mac Jones outscored Cooper Rush by 0.7 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.