J.J. McCarthy vs Lamar Jackson: Who Should You Start?
If you are choosing between J.J. McCarthy and Lamar Jackson for your lineup, you are not alone. J.J. McCarthy finished the 2025 season at 13.7 PPG for the Minnesota Vikings (10 games), and Lamar Jackson averaged 17.1 for the Baltimore Ravens (13 games).
That 3.4-point weekly advantage for Lamar Jackson 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 Lamar Jackson posted 2549 yards and 21 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.
J.J. McCarthy has his bye in Week 6, and Lamar Jackson rests in Week 14. 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.
