Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Daniel Jones vs Mac JonesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.4 PPG to Mac Jones's 11.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Daniel Jones is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 17.4 PPG and 3,265 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Mac Jones (11.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Daniel Jones as the starter and Mac Jones as depth.

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

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QBIndianapolis Colts#13PPG LEADER

Daniel Jones

PPG

17.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,101

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

164

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

QBSan Francisco 49ers#33

Mac Jones

PPG

11.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,151

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Daniel Jones

Mac Jones

Head to Head

17.4 PPG11.8 PPG

13 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Daniel Jones: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #13 at the position). Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Daniel Jones is producing at 79% of elite pace and Mac Jones at 54%. That ranking gap means Daniel Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Daniel Jones vs Mac Jones: The Full Breakdown

Daniel Jones and Mac Jones are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 PPG across 13 games with the Indianapolis Colts, while Mac Jones posted 11.8 PPG in 11 appearances for the San Francisco 49ers.

A 5.6-PPG gap gives Daniel Jones 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. Daniel Jones threw for 3101 yards and 19 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.

One scheduling note: Daniel Jones is off Week 13 and Mac Jones Week 8. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Daniel Jones at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Mac Jones is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Daniel Jones (age 29) 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?

•Daniel Jones outscored Mac Jones by a projected 95 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Daniel Jones played 13 games in 2025 compared to Mac Jones's 11. That durability gap means Daniel Jones contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Daniel Jones scored 24 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Daniel Jones vs Mac Jones: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Daniel Jones	Mac Jones
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.4	11.8
Games Played	13	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	226	130
Passing Yards	3,101	2,151
Passing TDs	19	13
Pass Yds/Game	238.5	195.5
Rushing Yards	164	60
Rushing TDs	5	0
Total TDs	24	13
TDs/Game	1.8	1.2
Age	29	27
Experience	6 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 8

Summary

Daniel Jones outscored Mac Jones by 5.6 PPG in 2025 (17.4 to 11.8). 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 Daniel Jones or Mac Jones in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Daniel Jones has the edge at 17.4 PPG compared to Mac Jones's 11.8 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 Daniel Jones and Mac Jones average in 2025?▾

Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 5.6 points per game.

When are Daniel Jones and Mac Jones's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Mac Jones (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Daniel Jones or Mac Jones a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones outscored Mac Jones by 5.6 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.