Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Marcus Mariota vs Russell WilsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Russell Wilson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.2 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Russell Wilson is the better fantasy play this season.

Russell Wilson has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.6-PPG advantage is real (14.2 to 12.6), and Russell Wilson's 20 touchdowns show scoring upside. Marcus Mariota is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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QBWashington Commanders#31

Marcus Mariota

PPG

12.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,695

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

297

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBPittsburgh Steelers#99PPG LEADER

Russell Wilson

PPG

14.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,890

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

155

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Marcus Mariota

Russell Wilson

Head to Head

12.6 PPG14.2 PPG

10 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Russell Wilson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Marcus Mariota is producing at 57% of elite pace and Russell Wilson at 65%. That ranking gap means Marcus Mariota carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Marcus Mariota vs Russell Wilson: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Marcus Mariota (Washington Commanders) finished the 2025 season averaging 12.6 fantasy points per game in 10 games. Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers) came in at 14.2 PPG over 14 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Russell Wilson carries a 1.6-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Marcus Mariota threw for 1695 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Russell Wilson posted 2890 yards and 18 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: Marcus Mariota sits Week 7 while Russell Wilson is off Week 9. 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

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: Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Russell Wilson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Russell Wilson outscored Marcus Mariota by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Russell Wilson played 14 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. That durability gap means Russell Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Russell Wilson scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Marcus Mariota vs Russell Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Marcus Mariota	Russell Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.6	14.2
Games Played	10	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	199
Passing Yards	1,695	2,890
Passing TDs	10	18
Pass Yds/Game	169.5	206.4
Rushing Yards	297	155
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	11	20
TDs/Game	1.1	1.4
Age	32	-
Experience	10 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Russell Wilson holds the PPG edge with solid output at 14.2 points per game. Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 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 Marcus Mariota or Russell Wilson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Russell Wilson has the edge at 14.2 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 Marcus Mariota and Russell Wilson average in 2025?▾

Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Russell Wilson averaged 14.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Marcus Mariota and Russell Wilson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Russell Wilson (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Marcus Mariota or Russell Wilson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Russell Wilson outscored Marcus Mariota 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.