Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kirk Cousins vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.4 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy play this season.

Kirk Cousins is the better play on a neutral week. 15.4 PPG with 3,666 yards gives a reliable baseline. Marcus Mariota at 12.6 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Kirk Cousins higher, but do not fade Marcus Mariota entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBAtlanta Falcons#99PPG LEADER

Kirk Cousins

PPG

15.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,588

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBWashington Commanders#31

Marcus Mariota

PPG

12.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,695

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

297

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Kirk Cousins

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

15.4 PPG12.6 PPG

16 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Kirk Cousins: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kirk Cousins is producing at 70% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Marcus Mariota carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kirk Cousins vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota for your lineup, you are not alone. Kirk Cousins finished the 2025 season at 15.4 PPG for the Atlanta Falcons (16 games), and Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 for the Washington Commanders (10 games).

That 2.8-point weekly advantage for Kirk Cousins 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. Kirk Cousins threw for 3588 yards and 23 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.

One scheduling note: Kirk Cousins is off Week 12 and Marcus Mariota Week 7. 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: Kirk Cousins (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Kirk Cousins outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kirk Cousins played 16 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. That durability gap means Kirk Cousins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kirk Cousins scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kirk Cousins vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kirk Cousins	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.4	12.6
Games Played	16	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	246	126
Passing Yards	3,588	1,695
Passing TDs	23	10
Pass Yds/Game	224.3	169.5
Rushing Yards	78	297
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	23	11
TDs/Game	1.4	1.1
Age	-	32
Experience	-	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kirk Cousins at 15.4 PPG, 2.8 points per game above Marcus Mariota's 12.6. 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 Kirk Cousins or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kirk Cousins has the edge at 15.4 PPG compared to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 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 Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 2.8 points per game.

When are Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kirk Cousins or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins outscored Marcus Mariota by 2.8 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.