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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

J.J. McCarthy vs Kyler MurrayWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Kyler Murray over J.J. McCarthy in 2026.

Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 PPG in 2025 to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5, a 3.1 point per game edge. Murray posted that edge in only 5 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability. Kyler Murray is Tier 4 at the position, J.J. McCarthy is Tier 6.

The Bottom Line

Kyler Murray has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.1-PPG advantage is real (15.6 to 12.5), and Kyler Murray's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. J.J. McCarthy is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBMinnesota Vikings#32

J.J. McCarthy

PPG

12.5

Games

Pass Yds

1,632

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

181

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

QBArizona Cardinals#22PPG LEADER

Kyler Murray

PPG

15.6

Games

Pass Yds

962

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

173

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

J.J. McCarthy

Kyler Murray

Head to Head

12.5 PPG15.6 PPG

10 GP5 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

J.J. McCarthy: Tier 6 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Kyler Murray: Tier 4 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, J.J. McCarthy is producing at 57% of elite pace and Kyler Murray at 71%. That ranking gap means Kyler Murray carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

J.J. McCarthy vs Kyler Murray: The Full Breakdown

J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 PPG across 10 games with the Minnesota Vikings, while Kyler Murray posted 15.6 PPG in 5 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 3.1-PPG gap gives Kyler Murray the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. J.J. McCarthy threw for 1632 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Kyler Murray posted 962 yards and 6 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: J.J. McCarthy is off Week 6 and Kyler Murray Week 14. 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

If you can acquire Kyler Murray at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. J.J. McCarthy is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: J.J. McCarthy (age 23) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. Kyler Murray (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Kyler Murray outscored J.J. McCarthy by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•J.J. McCarthy played 10 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray's 5. That durability gap means J.J. McCarthy contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•J.J. McCarthy scored 15 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•J.J. McCarthy is 6 years younger than Kyler Murray (23 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

J.J. McCarthy vs Kyler Murray: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	J.J. McCarthy	Kyler Murray
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.5	15.6
Games Played	10	5
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	125	78
Passing Yards	1,632	962
Passing TDs	11	6
Pass Yds/Game	163.2	192.4
Rushing Yards	181	173
Rushing TDs	4	1
Total TDs	15	7
TDs/Game	1.5	1.4
Age	23	29
Experience	1 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 14

Summary

Kyler Murray outscored J.J. McCarthy by 3.1 PPG in 2025 (15.6 to 12.5). 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 J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyler Murray has the edge at 15.6 PPG compared to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 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 J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray average in 2025?▾

J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 PPG over 5 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

When are J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray's bye weeks in 2026?▾

J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Kyler Murray (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kyler Murray outscored J.J. McCarthy by 3.1 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.