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Head to Head

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Jameis Winston vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.6 PPG to Jameis Winston's 10.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy play this season.

Marcus Mariota is the better play on a neutral week. 12.6 PPG with 1,992 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jameis Winston at 10.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Marcus Mariota higher, but do not fade Jameis Winston entirely.

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

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QBCleveland Browns#99
Jameis Winston
PPG
10.9
Games
10
Pass Yds
2,125
Pass TDs
13
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 10
QBWashington Commanders#31PPG LEADER
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
Jameis Winston
Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

10.9 PPG12.6 PPG
10 GP10 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Jameis Winston: 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, Jameis Winston is producing at 50% 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.

Jameis Winston vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota for your lineup, you are not alone. Jameis Winston finished the 2025 season at 10.9 PPG for the Cleveland Browns (10 games), and Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 for the Washington Commanders (10 games).

That 1.7-point weekly advantage for Marcus Mariota 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. Jameis Winston threw for 2125 yards and 13 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.

Jameis Winston has his bye in Week 10, 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

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: Jameis Winston (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 Jameis Winston by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jameis Winston scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jameis Winston vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJameis WinstonMarcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)10.912.6
Games Played1010
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)109126
Passing Yards2,1251,695
Passing TDs1310
Pass Yds/Game212.5169.5
Rushing Yards45297
Rushing TDs11
Total TDs1411
TDs/Game1.41.1
Age-32
Experience-10 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Marcus Mariota at 12.6 PPG, 1.7 points per game above Jameis Winston's 10.9. 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 Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Marcus Mariota has the edge at 12.6 PPG compared to Jameis Winston's 10.9 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 Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?

Jameis Winston averaged 10.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

When are Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?

Jameis Winston (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Marcus Mariota outscored Jameis Winston by 1.7 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.