Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Marcus Mariota vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.6 PPG to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Marcus Mariota is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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QBWashington Commanders#31PPG LEADER

Marcus Mariota

PPG

12.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,695

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

297

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBMiami Dolphins#35

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Marcus Mariota

Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

12.6 PPG11.5 PPG

10 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Marcus Mariota is producing at 57% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. That ranking gap means Marcus Mariota carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Marcus Mariota vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

Marcus Mariota (12.6 PPG) and Tua Tagovailoa (11.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Marcus Mariota played 10 games for the Washington Commanders; Tua Tagovailoa suited up 14 times for the Miami Dolphins.

A 1.1-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Marcus Mariota threw for 1695 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Tua Tagovailoa posted 2660 yards and 20 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 Tua Tagovailoa is off Week 6. 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. Tua Tagovailoa (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Marcus Mariota outscored Tua Tagovailoa by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tua Tagovailoa played 14 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. That durability gap means Tua Tagovailoa contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tua Tagovailoa scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Tua Tagovailoa is 4 years younger than Marcus Mariota (28 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Marcus Mariota vs Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Marcus Mariota	Tua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.6	11.5
Games Played	10	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	161
Passing Yards	1,695	2,660
Passing TDs	10	20
Pass Yds/Game	169.5	190.0
Rushing Yards	297	43
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	11	20
TDs/Game	1.1	1.4
Age	32	28
Experience	10 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Marcus Mariota at 12.6 PPG, 1.1 points per game above Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5. 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 Marcus Mariota or Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Marcus Mariota has the edge at 12.6 PPG compared to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 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 Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?▾

Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Marcus Mariota (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Marcus Mariota or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Marcus Mariota outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 1.1 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.