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Head to Head

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J.J. McCarthy vs Will LevisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Will Levis is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.2 PPG to J.J. McCarthy's 12.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Will Levis is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Will Levis edges J.J. McCarthy by 0.7 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, Will Levis 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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QBMinnesota Vikings#32
J.J. McCarthy
PPG
12.5
Games
10
Pass Yds
1,632
Pass TDs
11
Rush Yds
181
Rush TDs
4
Bye
Week 6
QBTennessee Titans#99PPG LEADER
Will Levis
PPG
13.2
Games
14
Pass Yds
2,780
Pass TDs
17
Rush Yds
245
Rush TDs
3
Bye
Week 5

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
J.J. McCarthy
Will Levis

Head to Head

12.5 PPG13.2 PPG
10 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Will Levis: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, J.J. McCarthy is producing at 57% of elite pace and Will Levis at 60%. That ranking gap means J.J. McCarthy carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

J.J. McCarthy vs Will Levis: The Full Breakdown

The gap between J.J. McCarthy and Will Levis is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.7 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 PPG with the Minnesota Vikings across 10 games, and Will Levis posted 13.2 with the Tennessee Titans in 14.

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. J.J. McCarthy threw for 1632 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Will Levis posted 2780 yards and 17 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

J.J. McCarthy has his bye in Week 6, and Will Levis rests in Week 5. 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: 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. Will Levis (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Will Levis outscored J.J. McCarthy by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Will Levis played 14 games in 2025 compared to J.J. McCarthy's 10. That durability gap means Will Levis contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Will Levis scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

J.J. McCarthy vs Will Levis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJ.J. McCarthyWill Levis
PPG (Half-PPR)12.513.2
Games Played1014
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)125185
Passing Yards1,6322,780
Passing TDs1117
Pass Yds/Game163.2198.6
Rushing Yards181245
Rushing TDs43
Total TDs1520
TDs/Game1.51.4
Age23-
Experience1 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 6Week 5

Summary

Will Levis outscored J.J. McCarthy by 0.7 PPG in 2025 (13.2 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 Will Levis in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Will Levis has the edge at 13.2 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 Will Levis average in 2025?

J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Will Levis averaged 13.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are J.J. McCarthy and Will Levis's bye weeks in 2026?

J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Will Levis (TEN) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is J.J. McCarthy or Will Levis a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Will Levis outscored J.J. McCarthy by 0.7 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.