Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

J.J. McCarthy vs Russell WilsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Russell Wilson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.2 PPG to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Russell Wilson is the better fantasy play this season.

Russell Wilson is the better play on a neutral week. 14.2 PPG with 3,045 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 Russell Wilson higher, but do not fade J.J. McCarthy entirely.

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

QBPittsburgh Steelers#99PPG LEADER

Russell Wilson

PPG

14.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,890

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

155

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

J.J. McCarthy

Russell Wilson

Head to Head

12.5 PPG14.2 PPG

10 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Russell Wilson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, J.J. McCarthy is producing at 57% of elite pace and Russell Wilson at 65%. That ranking gap means J.J. McCarthy carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

J.J. McCarthy vs Russell Wilson: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between J.J. McCarthy and Russell Wilson is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback put up 12.5 PPG in 2025 over 10 games; Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 14.2 in 14. A 1.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.7 points favors Russell Wilson, 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. J.J. McCarthy threw for 1632 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Russell Wilson posted 2890 yards and 18 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 Russell Wilson Week 9. 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. Russell Wilson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Russell Wilson outscored J.J. McCarthy by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Russell Wilson played 14 games in 2025 compared to J.J. McCarthy's 10. That durability gap means Russell Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Russell Wilson scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

J.J. McCarthy vs Russell Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	J.J. McCarthy	Russell Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.5	14.2
Games Played	10	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	125	199
Passing Yards	1,632	2,890
Passing TDs	11	18
Pass Yds/Game	163.2	206.4
Rushing Yards	181	155
Rushing TDs	4	2
Total TDs	15	20
TDs/Game	1.5	1.4
Age	23	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 9

Summary

14.2 PPG for Russell Wilson versus 12.5 for J.J. McCarthy in 2025. The baseline favors Russell Wilson, 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 Russell Wilson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Russell Wilson has the edge at 14.2 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 Russell Wilson average in 2025?▾

J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Russell Wilson averaged 14.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

When are J.J. McCarthy and Russell Wilson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Russell Wilson (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is J.J. McCarthy or Russell Wilson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Russell Wilson outscored J.J. McCarthy by 1.7 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.