Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

Derek Carr is the better play on a neutral week. 15.8 PPG with 3,533 yards gives a reliable baseline. Marcus Mariota at 12.6 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derek Carr higher, but do not fade Marcus Mariota entirely.

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

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QBNew Orleans Saints#99PPG LEADER

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

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

Derek Carr

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

15.8 PPG12.6 PPG

15 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: 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, Derek Carr is producing at 72% 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.

Derek Carr vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota for your lineup, you are not alone. Derek Carr finished the 2025 season at 15.8 PPG for the New Orleans Saints (15 games), and Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 for the Washington Commanders (10 games).

That 3.2-point weekly advantage for Derek Carr is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 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: Derek Carr is off Week 12 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

Derek Carr is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Marcus Mariota is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Derek Carr (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?

•Derek Carr outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 54 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. That durability gap means Derek Carr contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Derek Carr scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derek Carr vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	12.6
Games Played	15	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	126
Passing Yards	3,428	1,695
Passing TDs	22	10
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	169.5
Rushing Yards	105	297
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	23	11
TDs/Game	1.5	1.1
Age	-	32
Experience	-	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derek Carr at 15.8 PPG, 3.2 points per game above Marcus Mariota's 12.6. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derek Carr or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 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 Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 3.2 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Marcus Mariota by 3.2 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.