Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jared Goff vs Mac JonesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jared Goff is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.5 PPG to Mac Jones's 11.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jared Goff is the better fantasy play this season.

Jared Goff is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 17.5 PPG and 4,609 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Mac Jones (11.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jared Goff as the starter and Mac Jones as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBDetroit Lions#12PPG LEADER

Jared Goff

PPG

17.5

Games

Pass Yds

4,564

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBSan Francisco 49ers#33

Mac Jones

PPG

11.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,151

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Jared Goff

Mac Jones

Head to Head

17.5 PPG11.8 PPG

17 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jared Goff: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #12 at the position). Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jared Goff is producing at 80% of elite pace and Mac Jones at 54%. That ranking gap means Jared Goff carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jared Goff vs Mac Jones: The Full Breakdown

Jared Goff and Mac Jones are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Jared Goff averaged 17.5 PPG across 17 games with the Detroit Lions, while Mac Jones posted 11.8 PPG in 11 appearances for the San Francisco 49ers.

A 5.7-PPG gap gives Jared Goff the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Jared Goff threw for 4564 yards and 34 touchdowns, while Mac Jones posted 2151 yards and 13 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: Jared Goff sits Week 6 while Mac Jones is off Week 8. 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 Jared Goff at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Mac Jones is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jared Goff (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Mac Jones (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Jared Goff outscored Mac Jones by a projected 97 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jared Goff played 17 games in 2025 compared to Mac Jones's 11. That durability gap means Jared Goff contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jared Goff scored 34 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Mac Jones is 4 years younger than Jared Goff (27 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jared Goff vs Mac Jones: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jared Goff	Mac Jones
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.5	11.8
Games Played	17	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	298	130
Passing Yards	4,564	2,151
Passing TDs	34	13
Pass Yds/Game	268.5	195.5
Rushing Yards	45	60
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	34	13
TDs/Game	2.0	1.2
Age	31	27
Experience	9 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

Jared Goff outscored Mac Jones by 5.7 PPG in 2025 (17.5 to 11.8). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jared Goff or Mac Jones in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jared Goff has the edge at 17.5 PPG compared to Mac Jones's 11.8 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 Jared Goff and Mac Jones average in 2025?▾

Jared Goff averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 5.7 points per game.

When are Jared Goff and Mac Jones's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jared Goff (DET) has a bye in Week 6, and Mac Jones (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jared Goff or Mac Jones a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jared Goff outscored Mac Jones by 5.7 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.