Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

J.J. McCarthy vs Mac JonesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

J.J. McCarthy is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.5 PPG to Mac Jones's 11.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

J.J. McCarthy is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, J.J. McCarthy and Mac Jones are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.7-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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QBMinnesota Vikings#32PPG LEADER

J.J. McCarthy

PPG

12.5

Games

Pass Yds

1,632

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

181

Rush 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

J.J. McCarthy

Mac Jones

Head to Head

12.5 PPG11.8 PPG

10 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, J.J. McCarthy is producing at 57% of elite pace and Mac Jones at 54%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

J.J. McCarthy vs Mac Jones: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. J.J. McCarthy finished the 2025 season at 12.5 PPG over 10 games with the Minnesota Vikings, while Mac Jones clocked in at 11.8 across 11 appearances for the San Francisco 49ers. A 0.7-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. J.J. McCarthy threw for 1632 yards and 11 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.

One scheduling note: J.J. McCarthy is off Week 6 and Mac Jones Week 8. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: 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. Mac Jones (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•J.J. McCarthy outscored Mac Jones by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Mac Jones played 11 games in 2025 compared to J.J. McCarthy's 10. That durability gap means Mac Jones 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.
•J.J. McCarthy is 4 years younger than Mac Jones (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

J.J. McCarthy vs Mac Jones: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	J.J. McCarthy	Mac Jones
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.5	11.8
Games Played	10	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	125	130
Passing Yards	1,632	2,151
Passing TDs	11	13
Pass Yds/Game	163.2	195.5
Rushing Yards	181	60
Rushing TDs	4	0
Total TDs	15	13
TDs/Game	1.5	1.2
Age	23	27
Experience	1 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

12.5 PPG for J.J. McCarthy versus 11.8 for Mac Jones in 2025. The baseline favors J.J. McCarthy, 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 J.J. McCarthy or Mac Jones in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, J.J. McCarthy has the edge at 12.5 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 J.J. McCarthy and Mac Jones average in 2025?▾

J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are J.J. McCarthy and Mac Jones's bye weeks in 2026?▾

J.J. McCarthy (MIN) 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 J.J. McCarthy or Mac Jones a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

J.J. McCarthy outscored Mac Jones by 0.7 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.