Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kyler Murray vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.6 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy play this season.

Kyler Murray is the better play on a neutral week. 15.6 PPG with 1,135 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 Kyler Murray 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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QBArizona Cardinals#22PPG LEADER

Kyler Murray

PPG

15.6

Games

Pass Yds

962

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

173

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

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

Kyler Murray

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

15.6 PPG12.6 PPG

5 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Kyler Murray: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kyler Murray is producing at 71% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. That ranking gap means Kyler Murray carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kyler Murray vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Kyler Murray and Marcus Mariota is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Arizona Cardinals quarterback put up 15.6 PPG in 2025 over 5 games; Marcus Mariota of the Washington Commanders averaged 12.6 in 10. A 3.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.0 points favors Kyler Murray, 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. Kyler Murray threw for 962 yards and 6 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: Kyler Murray sits Week 14 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

Kyler Murray is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Marcus Mariota is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Kyler Murray (age 28) 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?

•Kyler Murray outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 51 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Marcus Mariota played 10 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray's 5. That durability gap means Marcus Mariota contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Marcus Mariota scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Kyler Murray is 4 years younger than Marcus Mariota (28 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kyler Murray vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kyler Murray	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.6	12.6
Games Played	5	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	78	126
Passing Yards	962	1,695
Passing TDs	6	10
Pass Yds/Game	192.4	169.5
Rushing Yards	173	297
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	7	11
TDs/Game	1.4	1.1
Age	28	32
Experience	6 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

15.6 PPG for Kyler Murray versus 12.6 for Marcus Mariota in 2025. The baseline favors Kyler Murray, 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 Kyler Murray or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyler Murray has the edge at 15.6 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 Kyler Murray and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 3.0 points per game.

When are Kyler Murray and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kyler Murray (ARI) has a bye in Week 14, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kyler Murray or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kyler Murray outscored Marcus Mariota by 3.0 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.