Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cooper Rush vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.6 PPG to Cooper Rush's 11.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy play this season.

Marcus Mariota has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.5-PPG advantage is real (12.6 to 11.1), and Marcus Mariota's 11 touchdowns show scoring upside. Cooper Rush 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Cooper Rush and Marcus Mariota in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBDallas Cowboys#99

Cooper Rush

PPG

11.1

Games

Pass Yds

1,985

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBWashington Commanders#31PPG LEADER

Marcus Mariota

PPG

12.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,695

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

297

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Cooper Rush

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

11.1 PPG12.6 PPG

10 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Rush: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Cooper Rush is producing at 50% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Marcus Mariota carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cooper Rush vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys) finished the 2025 season averaging 11.1 fantasy points per game in 10 games. Marcus Mariota (Washington Commanders) came in at 12.6 PPG over 10 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Marcus Mariota carries a 1.5-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Cooper Rush threw for 1985 yards and 12 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.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 7 bye. That means you need a backup plan at quarterback for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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. Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Marcus Mariota outscored Cooper Rush by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cooper Rush scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Both players share a Week 7 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Rush vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Rush	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.1	12.6
Games Played	10	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	111	126
Passing Yards	1,985	1,695
Passing TDs	12	10
Pass Yds/Game	198.5	169.5
Rushing Yards	28	297
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	12	11
TDs/Game	1.2	1.1
Age	-	32
Experience	-	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Marcus Mariota holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.6 points per game. Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Cooper Rush vs Marcus Mariota

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Cooper Rush vs Marcus Mariota

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cooper Rush or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Marcus Mariota has the edge at 12.6 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 Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

Do Cooper Rush and Marcus Mariota share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Cooper Rush and Marcus Mariota share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Cooper Rush or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Marcus Mariota outscored Cooper Rush 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.