Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs J.J. McCarthyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

J.J. McCarthy is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.5 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

J.J. McCarthy is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, J.J. McCarthy and Deshaun Watson are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBCleveland Browns#99

Deshaun Watson

PPG

12.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,105

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

185

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBMinnesota Vikings#32PPG LEADER

J.J. McCarthy

PPG

12.5

Games

Pass Yds

1,632

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

181

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Deshaun Watson

J.J. McCarthy

Head to Head

12.2 PPG12.5 PPG

11 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Deshaun Watson is producing at 55% of elite pace and J.J. McCarthy at 57%. That ranking gap means J.J. McCarthy carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deshaun Watson vs J.J. McCarthy: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Deshaun Watson finished the 2025 season at 12.2 PPG over 11 games with the Cleveland Browns, while J.J. McCarthy clocked in at 12.5 across 10 appearances for the Minnesota Vikings. A 0.3-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. Deshaun Watson threw for 2105 yards and 12 touchdowns, while J.J. McCarthy posted 1632 yards and 11 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Deshaun Watson is off Week 10 and J.J. McCarthy Week 6. 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: Deshaun Watson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. J.J. McCarthy (age 23) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•J.J. McCarthy outscored Deshaun Watson by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Deshaun Watson played 11 games in 2025 compared to J.J. McCarthy's 10. That durability gap means Deshaun Watson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•J.J. McCarthy scored 15 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deshaun Watson vs J.J. McCarthy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deshaun Watson	J.J. McCarthy
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.2	12.5
Games Played	11	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	125
Passing Yards	2,105	1,632
Passing TDs	12	11
Pass Yds/Game	191.4	163.2
Rushing Yards	185	181
Rushing TDs	2	4
Total TDs	14	15
TDs/Game	1.3	1.5
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

12.5 PPG for J.J. McCarthy versus 12.2 for Deshaun Watson in 2025. The baseline favors J.J. McCarthy, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Deshaun Watson or J.J. McCarthy in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, J.J. McCarthy has the edge at 12.5 PPG compared to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 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 Deshaun Watson and J.J. McCarthy average in 2025?▾

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Deshaun Watson and J.J. McCarthy's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deshaun Watson or J.J. McCarthy a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

J.J. McCarthy outscored Deshaun Watson by 0.3 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.