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Head to Head

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Aidan O'Connell vs Mac JonesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aidan O'Connell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Mac Jones's 11.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Aidan O'Connell is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Aidan O'Connell edges Mac Jones by 1.0 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, Aidan O'Connell 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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QBLas Vegas Raiders#99PPG LEADER
Aidan O'Connell
PPG
12.8
Games
13
Pass Yds
2,650
Pass TDs
16
Bye
Week 10
QBSan Francisco 49ers#33
Mac Jones
PPG
11.8
Games
11
Pass Yds
2,151
Pass TDs
13
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Aidan O'Connell
Mac Jones

Head to Head

12.8 PPG11.8 PPG
13 GP11 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Aidan O'Connell: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aidan O'Connell is producing at 58% of elite pace and Mac Jones at 54%. That ranking gap means Mac Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aidan O'Connell vs Mac Jones: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Aidan O'Connell and Mac Jones is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.0 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Aidan O'Connell averaged 12.8 PPG with the Las Vegas Raiders across 13 games, and Mac Jones posted 11.8 with the San Francisco 49ers in 11.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Aidan O'Connell threw for 2650 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Mac Jones posted 2151 yards and 13 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Aidan O'Connell has his bye in Week 10, and Mac Jones rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Aidan O'Connell (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Mac Jones (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Aidan O'Connell outscored Mac Jones by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Aidan O'Connell played 13 games in 2025 compared to Mac Jones's 11. That durability gap means Aidan O'Connell contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Aidan O'Connell scored 16 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aidan O'Connell vs Mac Jones: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAidan O'ConnellMac Jones
PPG (Half-PPR)12.811.8
Games Played1311
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)166130
Passing Yards2,6502,151
Passing TDs1613
Pass Yds/Game203.8195.5
Rushing Yards6860
Rushing TDs00
Total TDs1613
TDs/Game1.21.2
Age-27
Experience-4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 8

Summary

Aidan O'Connell outscored Mac Jones by 1.0 PPG in 2025 (12.8 to 11.8). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aidan O'Connell or Mac Jones in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Aidan O'Connell has the edge at 12.8 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 Aidan O'Connell and Mac Jones average in 2025?

Aidan O'Connell averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Aidan O'Connell and Mac Jones's bye weeks in 2026?

Aidan O'Connell (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Mac Jones (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aidan O'Connell or Mac Jones a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Aidan O'Connell outscored Mac Jones by 1.0 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.