Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Davis Mills vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.6 PPG to Davis Mills's 11.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Marcus Mariota edges Davis Mills by 1.2 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, Marcus Mariota 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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QBHouston Texans#36

Davis Mills

PPG

11.4

Games

Pass Yds

915

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

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

Davis Mills

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

11.4 PPG12.6 PPG

6 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Davis Mills: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #36 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Davis Mills is producing at 52% 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.

Davis Mills vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Davis Mills finished the 2025 season at 11.4 PPG over 6 games with the Houston Texans, while Marcus Mariota clocked in at 12.6 across 10 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 1.2-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Davis Mills threw for 915 yards and 5 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 scheduling note: Davis Mills is off Week 8 and Marcus Mariota Week 7. 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

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: Davis Mills (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 Davis Mills by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Marcus Mariota played 10 games in 2025 compared to Davis Mills's 6. That durability gap means Marcus Mariota contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Marcus Mariota scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Davis Mills is 5 years younger than Marcus Mariota (27 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Davis Mills vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Davis Mills	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.4	12.6
Games Played	6	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	68	126
Passing Yards	915	1,695
Passing TDs	5	10
Pass Yds/Game	152.5	169.5
Rushing Yards	60	297
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	6	11
TDs/Game	1.0	1.1
Age	27	32
Experience	4 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Marcus Mariota holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.6 points per game. Davis Mills averaged 11.4 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 Davis Mills or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Marcus Mariota has the edge at 12.6 PPG compared to Davis Mills's 11.4 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 Davis Mills and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Davis Mills averaged 11.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 6 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Davis Mills and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Davis Mills (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Davis Mills or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Marcus Mariota outscored Davis Mills by 1.2 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.