Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jayden Daniels vs Mac JonesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.3 PPG to Mac Jones's 11.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy play this season.

Jayden Daniels is the better play on a neutral week. 16.3 PPG with 1,540 yards gives a reliable baseline. Mac Jones at 11.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jayden Daniels higher, but do not fade Mac Jones entirely.

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

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QBWashington Commanders#17PPG LEADER

Jayden Daniels

PPG

16.3

Games

Pass Yds

1,262

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

278

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBSan Francisco 49ers#33

Mac Jones

PPG

11.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,151

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Jayden Daniels

Mac Jones

Head to Head

16.3 PPG11.8 PPG

7 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jayden Daniels: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #17 at the position). Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jayden Daniels is producing at 74% of elite pace and Mac Jones at 54%. That ranking gap means Jayden Daniels carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jayden Daniels vs Mac Jones: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Jayden Daniels and Mac Jones is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Washington Commanders quarterback put up 16.3 PPG in 2025 over 7 games; Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers averaged 11.8 in 11. A 4.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.5 points favors Jayden Daniels, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Jayden Daniels threw for 1262 yards and 8 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: Jayden Daniels sits Week 7 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

Jayden Daniels is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Mac Jones is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jayden Daniels (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. Mac Jones (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Jayden Daniels outscored Mac Jones by a projected 77 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Mac Jones played 11 games in 2025 compared to Jayden Daniels's 7. That durability gap means Mac Jones contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Mac Jones scored 13 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jayden Daniels vs Mac Jones: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jayden Daniels	Mac Jones
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.3	11.8
Games Played	7	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	114	130
Passing Yards	1,262	2,151
Passing TDs	8	13
Pass Yds/Game	180.3	195.5
Rushing Yards	278	60
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total TDs	10	13
TDs/Game	1.4	1.2
Age	25	27
Experience	1 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 8

Summary

16.3 PPG for Jayden Daniels versus 11.8 for Mac Jones in 2025. The baseline favors Jayden Daniels, 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 Jayden Daniels or Mac Jones in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jayden Daniels has the edge at 16.3 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 Jayden Daniels and Mac Jones average in 2025?▾

Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 7 games in 2025. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 4.5 points per game.

When are Jayden Daniels and Mac Jones's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Mac Jones (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jayden Daniels or Mac Jones a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels outscored Mac Jones by 4.5 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.