DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Jacoby Brissett vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jacoby Brissett is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.2 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jacoby Brissett is the better fantasy play this season.

Jacoby Brissett has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.6-PPG advantage is real (16.2 to 12.6), and Jacoby Brissett'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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Jacoby Brissett and Marcus Mariota in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
QBArizona Cardinals#18PPG LEADER
Jacoby Brissett
PPG
16.2
Games
14
Pass Yds
3,366
Pass TDs
23
Rush Yds
168
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 14
QBWashington Commanders#31
Marcus Mariota
PPG
12.6
Games
10
Pass Yds
1,695
Pass TDs
10
Rush Yds
297
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jacoby Brissett
Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

16.2 PPG12.6 PPG
14 GP10 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Jacoby Brissett: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #18 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jacoby Brissett is producing at 74% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Jacoby Brissett carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jacoby Brissett vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Jacoby Brissett (Arizona Cardinals) finished the 2025 season averaging 16.2 fantasy points per game in 14 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.

Jacoby Brissett carries a 3.6-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. Jacoby Brissett threw for 3366 yards and 23 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jacoby Brissett sits Week 14 while Marcus Mariota is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Jacoby Brissett 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: Jacoby Brissett (age 33) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

  • Jacoby Brissett outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 61 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jacoby Brissett played 14 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. That durability gap means Jacoby Brissett contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Jacoby Brissett scored 24 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jacoby Brissett vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJacoby BrissettMarcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)16.212.6
Games Played1410
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)227126
Passing Yards3,3661,695
Passing TDs2310
Pass Yds/Game240.4169.5
Rushing Yards168297
Rushing TDs11
Total TDs2411
TDs/Game1.71.1
Age3332
Experience9 yrs10 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jacoby Brissett holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.2 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Jacoby Brissett vs Marcus Mariota

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Jacoby Brissett vs Marcus Mariota

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jacoby Brissett or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jacoby Brissett has the edge at 16.2 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 Jacoby Brissett and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?

Jacoby Brissett averaged 16.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 3.6 points per game.

When are Jacoby Brissett and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?

Jacoby Brissett (ARI) has a bye in Week 14, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jacoby Brissett or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Jacoby Brissett outscored Marcus Mariota by 3.6 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.