Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Mac Jones vs Marcus MariotaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.6 PPG to Mac Jones's 11.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Marcus Mariota edges Mac Jones by 0.8 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Marcus Mariota goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBSan Francisco 49ers#33

Mac Jones

PPG

11.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,151

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 8

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

Mac Jones

Marcus Mariota

Head to Head

11.8 PPG12.6 PPG

11 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Mac Jones is producing at 54% of elite pace and Marcus Mariota at 57%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Mac Jones vs Marcus Mariota: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Mac Jones finished the 2025 season at 11.8 PPG over 11 games with the San Francisco 49ers, while Marcus Mariota clocked in at 12.6 across 10 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 0.8-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Mac Jones threw for 2151 yards and 13 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: Mac Jones is off Week 8 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: Mac Jones (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?

•Marcus Mariota outscored Mac Jones by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Mac Jones played 11 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. That durability gap means Mac Jones contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Mac Jones scored 13 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Mac Jones is 5 years younger than Marcus Mariota (27 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Mac Jones vs Marcus Mariota: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Mac Jones	Marcus Mariota
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.8	12.6
Games Played	11	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	130	126
Passing Yards	2,151	1,695
Passing TDs	13	10
Pass Yds/Game	195.5	169.5
Rushing Yards	60	297
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	13	11
TDs/Game	1.2	1.1
Age	27	32
Experience	4 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Marcus Mariota holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.6 points per game. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Mac Jones or Marcus Mariota in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Marcus Mariota has the edge at 12.6 PPG compared to Mac Jones's 11.8 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 Mac Jones and Marcus Mariota average in 2025?▾

Mac Jones averaged 11.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Mac Jones and Marcus Mariota's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Mac Jones (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Mac Jones or Marcus Mariota a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Marcus Mariota outscored Mac Jones by 0.8 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.