Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Daniel Jones vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.4 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Daniel Jones has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.8-PPG advantage is real (17.4 to 12.6), and Daniel Jones's 24 touchdowns show scoring upside. Marcus Mariota is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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

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

Daniel Jones

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

17.4 PPG12.6 PPG

13 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Daniel Jones: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #13 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Daniel Jones is producing at 79% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Daniel Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Daniel Jones vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Daniel Jones (Indianapolis Colts) finished the 2025 season averaging 17.4 fantasy points per game in 13 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.

Daniel Jones carries a 4.8-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. Daniel Jones threw for 3101 yards and 19 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.

Daniel Jones has his bye in Week 13, and Marcus Mariota rests in Week 7. 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

If you can acquire Daniel Jones 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: Daniel Jones (age 29) 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?

•Daniel Jones outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 82 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Daniel Jones played 13 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. 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 Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Daniel Jones	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.4	12.6
Games Played	13	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	226	126
Passing Yards	3,101	1,695
Passing TDs	19	10
Pass Yds/Game	238.5	169.5
Rushing Yards	164	297
Rushing TDs	5	1
Total TDs	24	11
TDs/Game	1.8	1.1
Age	29	32
Experience	6 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Daniel Jones holds the PPG edge with solid output at 17.4 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 Daniel Jones or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Daniel Jones has the edge at 17.4 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 Daniel Jones and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 4.8 points per game.

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

Daniel Jones (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

Daniel Jones outscored Marcus Mariota by 4.8 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.