Marcus Mariota or Michael Penix Jr.?
Who to start in Week 3, who is better for the rest of the season, and who carries more trade value — from the FantasyPros expert consensus and the LeagueLogs Market Index.
Week 3 · 2026 season · Consensus updated September 22 at 6:11 AM EDT
Connect your league and an AI analyst settles debates like this one against your actual roster.
The lean
- This week: Michael Penix Jr.
- Rest of season: even on the consensus — 2 of 3 experts
- Trade value: close to even
At least one measure is close to even. Your scoring, lineup and matchup can help separate them.
| Marcus Mariota | Michael Penix Jr. | |
|---|---|---|
| Rest of season 2 of 3 experts rank Marcus Mariota ahead · 1 rank Michael Penix Jr. ahead | QB31#26–#33 | QB30#25–#35 |
| Week 3 | QB30#28–#32 | QB28#24–#31edge |
| Week 3 projection (PPR) | 14.3edge | 11.5 |
| Market Index value (redraft PPR) | 2 #464 overall | 3 #306 overall |
| Last 30 days (Market Index) | -10 ranks · -4 val | +25 ranks · +22 val |
| Rostered | 1% | 4% |
| Bye | 7 | 11 |
| Status | No injury designation | No injury designation |
Expert consensus and ownership data via FantasyPros · Market Index values by LeagueLogs
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Who should I start in Week 3, Marcus Mariota or Michael Penix Jr.?
- Michael Penix Jr.. This week's consensus has Marcus Mariota at QB30 (range #28–#32) and Michael Penix Jr. at QB28 (range #24–#31). Projections: 14.3 vs 11.5 PPR points.
- Who is better for the rest of the season, Marcus Mariota or Michael Penix Jr.?
- The experts have them effectively even for the rest of the season: Marcus Mariota QB31 (range #26–#33) vs Michael Penix Jr. QB30 (range #25–#35). 2 of 3 FantasyPros experts who rank both have Marcus Mariota ahead for the rest of the season.
- Should I trade Marcus Mariota for Michael Penix Jr.?
- On the LeagueLogs Market Index (redraft PPR) Marcus Mariota is ranked #464 overall and Michael Penix Jr. #306, so a one-for-one is close to even. Run the exact deal through the free AI Trade Analyzer for a verdict on your league's scoring.