Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

J.J. McCarthy vs Tyler ShoughWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Shough is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.4 PPG to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Shough is the better fantasy play this season.

Tyler Shough is the better play on a neutral week. 14.4 PPG with 2,570 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 Tyler Shough 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

QBNew Orleans Saints#24PPG LEADER

Tyler Shough

PPG

14.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,384

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

186

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

J.J. McCarthy

Tyler Shough

Head to Head

12.5 PPG14.4 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). Tyler Shough: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, J.J. McCarthy is producing at 57% of elite pace and Tyler Shough at 65%. That ranking gap means Tyler Shough carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

J.J. McCarthy vs Tyler Shough: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between J.J. McCarthy and Tyler Shough 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 Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 for the New Orleans Saints (11 games).

That 1.9-point weekly advantage for Tyler Shough 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 Tyler Shough posted 2384 yards and 10 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 Tyler Shough 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. Tyler Shough (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Shough outscored J.J. McCarthy by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tyler Shough played 11 games in 2025 compared to J.J. McCarthy's 10. That durability gap means Tyler Shough 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

J.J. McCarthy vs Tyler Shough: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	J.J. McCarthy	Tyler Shough
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.5	14.4
Games Played	10	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	125	158
Passing Yards	1,632	2,384
Passing TDs	11	10
Pass Yds/Game	163.2	216.7
Rushing Yards	181	186
Rushing TDs	4	3
Total TDs	15	13
TDs/Game	1.5	1.2
Age	23	26
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Tyler Shough at 14.4 PPG, 1.9 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 Tyler Shough in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Shough has the edge at 14.4 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 Tyler Shough average in 2025?▾

J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are J.J. McCarthy and Tyler Shough's bye weeks in 2026?▾

J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Tyler Shough (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is J.J. McCarthy or Tyler Shough a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Tyler Shough outscored J.J. McCarthy by 1.9 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.