Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

J.J. McCarthy vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.6 PPG to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Marcus Mariota and J.J. McCarthy are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-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#32

J.J. McCarthy

PPG

12.5

Games

Pass Yds

1,632

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

181

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBWashington Commanders#31PPG LEADER

Marcus Mariota

PPG

12.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,695

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

297

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

J.J. McCarthy

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

12.5 PPG12.6 PPG

10 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, J.J. McCarthy is producing at 57% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

J.J. McCarthy vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

J.J. McCarthy (12.5 PPG) and Marcus Mariota (12.6 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. J.J. McCarthy played 10 games for the Minnesota Vikings; Marcus Mariota suited up 10 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 0.1-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. J.J. McCarthy threw for 1632 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Marcus Mariota posted 1695 yards and 10 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 Marcus Mariota is off Week 7. 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

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. Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Marcus Mariota outscored J.J. McCarthy by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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 9 years younger than Marcus Mariota (23 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

J.J. McCarthy vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	J.J. McCarthy	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.5	12.6
Games Played	10	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	125	126
Passing Yards	1,632	1,695
Passing TDs	11	10
Pass Yds/Game	163.2	169.5
Rushing Yards	181	297
Rushing TDs	4	1
Total TDs	15	11
TDs/Game	1.5	1.1
Age	23	32
Experience	1 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

12.6 PPG for Marcus Mariota versus 12.5 for J.J. McCarthy in 2025. The baseline favors Marcus Mariota, 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 Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Marcus Mariota has the edge at 12.6 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 Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are J.J. McCarthy and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is J.J. McCarthy or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Marcus Mariota outscored J.J. McCarthy by 0.1 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.