Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

J.J. McCarthy vs Justin FieldsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Justin Fields is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.9 PPG to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Justin Fields is the better fantasy play this season.

Justin Fields is the better play on a neutral week. 15.9 PPG with 1,642 yards gives a reliable baseline. J.J. McCarthy at 12.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Justin Fields higher, but do not fade J.J. McCarthy entirely.

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

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QBMinnesota Vikings#32

J.J. McCarthy

PPG

12.5

Games

Pass Yds

1,632

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

181

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBNew York Jets#20PPG LEADER

Justin Fields

PPG

15.9

Games

Pass Yds

1,259

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

383

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

J.J. McCarthy

Justin Fields

Head to Head

12.5 PPG15.9 PPG

10 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Justin Fields: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, J.J. McCarthy is producing at 57% of elite pace and Justin Fields at 72%. That ranking gap means Justin Fields carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

J.J. McCarthy vs Justin Fields: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between J.J. McCarthy and Justin Fields for your lineup, you are not alone. J.J. McCarthy finished the 2025 season at 12.5 PPG for the Minnesota Vikings (10 games), and Justin Fields averaged 15.9 for the New York Jets (9 games).

That 3.4-point weekly advantage for Justin Fields 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. J.J. McCarthy threw for 1632 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Justin Fields posted 1259 yards and 7 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: J.J. McCarthy sits Week 6 while Justin Fields is off Week 13. 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

Justin Fields is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. J.J. McCarthy is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: 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. Justin Fields (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Justin Fields outscored J.J. McCarthy by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•J.J. McCarthy played 10 games in 2025 compared to Justin Fields's 9. That durability gap means J.J. McCarthy 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.
•Justin Fields added 383 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.
•J.J. McCarthy is 4 years younger than Justin Fields (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

J.J. McCarthy vs Justin Fields: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	J.J. McCarthy	Justin Fields
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.5	15.9
Games Played	10	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	125	143
Passing Yards	1,632	1,259
Passing TDs	11	7
Pass Yds/Game	163.2	139.9
Rushing Yards	181	383
Rushing TDs	4	4
Total TDs	15	11
TDs/Game	1.5	1.2
Age	23	27
Experience	1 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 13

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Justin Fields at 15.9 PPG, 3.4 points per game above J.J. McCarthy's 12.5. 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 J.J. McCarthy or Justin Fields in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Justin Fields has the edge at 15.9 PPG compared to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 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 J.J. McCarthy and Justin Fields average in 2025?▾

J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Justin Fields averaged 15.9 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 3.4 points per game.

When are J.J. McCarthy and Justin Fields's bye weeks in 2026?▾

J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Justin Fields (NYJ) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is J.J. McCarthy or Justin Fields a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Justin Fields outscored J.J. McCarthy by 3.4 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.