Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Patrick Mahomes
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Marcus Mariota News
Friday, May 8, 12:28 PM
After appearing in just six games (zero starts) between 2023 and 2024, Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota was pressed into starting duty in 2025 thanks to myriad injury issues for Washington QB1 Jayden Daniels. The veteran Mariota performed adequately, throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 11 games (eight starts). Mariota's fantasy appeal comes from his ability to use his legs, as he rushed for 297 yards and a score on 50 attempts. With Daniels healthy heading into 2026, Mariota should slide back into a backup role. Given Daniels' injury track record dating back to his days in college, dynasty managers may want to consider stashing Mariota in a bench spot. Still, rostering Mariota is a deep-league play at best, as he offers little upside beyond capable QB2 production as he enters his age-33 season.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23.8 | 16.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Patrick Mahomes News
Wednesday, July 15, 8:00 PM
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) told Caroline Fenton on Yahoo Sports Daily on Wednesday that he's still aiming to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday Night Football against the division-rival Denver Broncos on Sept. 14. "That's my goal," Mahomes said. "I've said that since the beginning is being ready to go Week 1. I can't predict the future, and I know that it's a long process. It's not just my decision, but at the same time I'm going to give the doctors and the coaches every single opportunity I can to let me be out there Week 1." The 30-year-old two-time MVP and six-time Pro Bowler tore his ACL in Week 15 of last year, but he remains on schedule to be ready for the start of the 2026 season and took part in the offseason program on a limited basis. We should get a better read on Mahomes' availability for the start of the regular season when training camp kicks off in a couple of weeks. Even if Mahomes is ready to roll for Week 1, fantasy managers should temper expectations for a signal-caller entering his age-31 season coming off a major knee injury. RotoBaller has Mahomes ranked as the QB13 as he heads into his 10th year in the league.
Marcus Mariota vs. Patrick Mahomes
Still trying to decide between Mariota and Mahomes? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Marcus Mariota is projected to score 1.0 points this week while Patrick Mahomes is projected to score 23.8 points.
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