Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Mac Jones vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.4 PPG to Mac Jones's 11.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Penix Jr. is the better fantasy play this season.

Michael Penix Jr. is the better play on a neutral week. 13.4 PPG with 2,052 yards gives a reliable baseline. Mac Jones at 11.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Michael Penix Jr. higher, but do not fade Mac Jones entirely.

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

QBAtlanta Falcons#29PPG LEADER

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Mac Jones

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

11.8 PPG13.4 PPG

11 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Mac Jones is producing at 54% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Michael Penix Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Mac Jones vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Mac Jones and Michael Penix Jr. is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback put up 11.8 PPG in 2025 over 11 games; Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons averaged 13.4 in 9. A 1.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.6 points favors Michael Penix Jr., 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. Mac Jones threw for 2151 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Michael Penix Jr. posted 1982 yards and 9 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 Michael Penix Jr. Week 11. 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. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Michael Penix Jr. outscored Mac Jones by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Mac Jones played 11 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Mac Jones vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Mac Jones	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.8	13.4
Games Played	11	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	130	121
Passing Yards	2,151	1,982
Passing TDs	13	9
Pass Yds/Game	195.5	220.2
Rushing Yards	60	70
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	13	10
TDs/Game	1.2	1.1
Age	27	26
Experience	4 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

13.4 PPG for Michael Penix Jr. versus 11.8 for Mac Jones in 2025. The baseline favors Michael Penix Jr., 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 Mac Jones or Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Penix Jr. has the edge at 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Mac Jones averaged 11.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Mac Jones and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Mac Jones (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Mac Jones or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Michael Penix Jr. outscored Mac Jones by 1.6 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.