Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dak Prescott vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dak Prescott is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 18.5 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dak Prescott is the better fantasy play this season.

Dak Prescott is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 18.5 PPG and 4,729 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Marcus Mariota (12.6 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Dak Prescott as the starter and Marcus Mariota as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBDallas Cowboys#9PPG LEADER

Dak Prescott

PPG

18.5

Games

Pass Yds

4,552

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

177

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

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

Dak Prescott

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

18.5 PPG12.6 PPG

17 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Dak Prescott: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #9 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Dak Prescott is producing at 84% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Dak Prescott carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dak Prescott vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) finished the 2025 season averaging 18.5 fantasy points per game in 17 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.

Dak Prescott carries a 5.9-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. Dak Prescott threw for 4552 yards and 30 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: Dak Prescott sits Week 14 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

If you can acquire Dak Prescott at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Marcus Mariota is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Dak Prescott (age 32) 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?

•Dak Prescott outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 100 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dak Prescott played 17 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. That durability gap means Dak Prescott contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Dak Prescott scored 32 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dak Prescott vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dak Prescott	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	18.5	12.6
Games Played	17	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	315	126
Passing Yards	4,552	1,695
Passing TDs	30	10
Pass Yds/Game	267.8	169.5
Rushing Yards	177	297
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	32	11
TDs/Game	1.9	1.1
Age	32	32
Experience	9 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Dak Prescott holds the PPG edge with strong output at 18.5 points per game. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dak Prescott or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dak Prescott has the edge at 18.5 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 Dak Prescott and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Dak Prescott averaged 18.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 5.9 points per game.

When are Dak Prescott and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dak Prescott (DAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dak Prescott or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Dak Prescott outscored Marcus Mariota by 5.9 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.