Background: Who Is Marcus Mariota Right Now
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Role & Contract
Mariota is the veteran backup in Washington. He re-signed with the Commanders on a one-year deal in 2025, reportedly about $8 million. He’s currently the No. 2 behind Jayden Daniels but has shown readiness in spot starts. -
Recent Performance (2024 season & limited appearances)
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In 2024, when Daniels was unavailable, Mariota had two significant relief appearances. One vs. Carolina: completed 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards, 2 passing TDs, no INTs, plus some rushing yards.
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He also has a strong career passer rating (~90.1) with 97 touchdowns and 55 interceptions.
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:-
Dual-threat capability: when forced into relief or starts, he tends to add some rushing yardage.
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Efficiency: in limited sample size, high completion %, few turnovers.
Weaknesses:
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Sample size is small; consistency is unproven over full games.
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The supporting cast, scheme, and opponent matchups will heavily influence his fantasy output.
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Week 3 Situation: Matchup & Context
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Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders. Mariota is starting against them in Week 3 due to Daniels being ruled out.
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Why He’s Starting
Jayden Daniels has a knee sprain from Week 2. He was ruled out for Week 3. -
Offensive Environment
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Washington has weapons: Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, tight ends, etc. But losing Daniels means a shift in style and perhaps fewer explosive plays.
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The coaching staff appears respectful of Mariota’s abilities. He’s practiced with the first-team as needed and is considered a professional fill-in.
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Expectations from Prior Games
Past performances (2024 relief) showed Mariota can deliver fantasy value: e.g. in one game he posted ~23.6 fantasy points when given starter/near-starter snaps. Marcus Mariota Week 3.
Fantasy Projection: What to Expect If You Start Mariota
Potential Upside
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Passing ≥ 200 yards, 1-2 TDs — given that he has done this before in relief.
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Some rushing yards — even if modest, can provide extra fantasy points. Mariota averaged decent yardage on the ground in his limited snaps.
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Low interception risk — so far he has shown good ball security.
Risks / What Could Go Wrong
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Limited ceiling compared to high-tier starters. He isn’t likely to be a game-breaker like Jayden Daniels when healthy.
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Raiders’ defensive matchup might limit big plays or force Mariota into mistakes if pressured.
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Game script matters: if Washington falls behind early, Mariota might be forced into risky throws. Or conversely, if Washington leads, might become conservative.
Fantasy Tier & Ranking
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Many experts rank Mariota around low-end starter or strong backup for Week 3.
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In Tier breakdowns, he seems to be in Tier 4 among QBs. Not the elite group, but definitely usable if needed.
Should You Start Him? Detailed Decision Guide
Here are scenarios to help you decide whether to start Mariota in your fantasy lineup for Week 3.
| Scenario | Start Mariota? | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| You have no better QB option | Yes | Mariota offers safe floor with upside vs. decent matchup. |
| You’re in a 2-QB or Superflex league | Maybe | His value increases more in formats that reward QB depth. But still not a marquee pick. |
| Rostered a top QB already available | Probably no | If your starter is solid and available, stick with them — Mariota is more of a fallback. |
| Opponent is weak vs. the pass | Yes | More chances to exploit. If the Raiders present weak secondary or pass rush holes, Mariota’s risk is mitigated. |
| Concerned about consistency or risk | Cautious | Even though Mariota has been efficient, there is risk he doesn’t match Daniels’ upside. |
Week 3 Projection Numbers
Here are some projections (based on expert tools & past performance) if Mariota starts:
| Metric | Expected |
|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 200-250 yards |
| Passing Touchdowns | 1-2 |
| Interceptions | 0-1 |
| Rushing Yards | 20-50 yards |
| Total Fantasy Points (standard 1QB league) | ~15-22 points if everything goes well |
(If game is tougher or he has limited support, might be closer to 10-15 points.)
Verdict: Start, Sit, or Flex?
Given all information:
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Yes, start Marcus Mariota in most standard fantasy leagues if your alternative is weak or you’ve got a marginal QB.
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If you have a reliable QB who you believe will perform above average, then Mariota is more of a backup/fill-in. He’s not the QB you want leading a championship unless forced.
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In ppr / superflex / 2-QB formats, Mariota has more intrigue because of his mobility and dual threat. He could outperform lower Tier QBs more often in those formats.
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Monitor game-day reports: weather, Raiders’ defensive health, etc., as those could shift risk/reward.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Is Marcus Mariota a good long-term fantasy starter if Jayden Daniels remains out?
A1: Possibly, but with caveats. Mariota has shown he’s capable in spot starts, but his sample size is limited. Long term, opponents will adjust, and his downfield explosiveness is not proven. If Daniels is out for multiple weeks, Mariota becomes a viable starter, but you should temper expectations compared to a top‐tier QB.
Q2: How did Mariota do the last time he started or replaced Daniels?
A2: In 2024, when Daniels was injured, Mariota had relief appearances with good fantasy output: e.g. Week 7 vs. Carolina: ~205 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, no interceptions, plus rushing yards. Also, in limited action he averaged about 8-9 yards per pass attempt and high completion percentages. Marcus Mariota Week 3.
Q3: What about Mariota’s rushing upside? How much can that help in fantasy?
A3: It helps. While he’s not Lamar Jackson, Mariota has mobility. His rushing yards add a buffer, especially in close matchups. Expect maybe 20-50 yards on ground, maybe 1 designed run or scramble for a TD if the game opens. This adds extra value especially in leagues where rushing for QBs is rewarded or big bonus.
Q4: How does the Raiders defense match up vs QBs, and does that affect Mariota’s value?
A4: Matchup always matters. If Raiders struggle vs mobile QBs or allow high completion percentages, that’s beneficial. Also, pass rush breakdown, secondary injuries can boost his upside. Without the full scouting report here, but many analysts seem to consider this matchup reasonable for Mariota’s start.
Q5: What alternatives should I consider if I don’t start Mariota?
A5: Depends on your roster. If you have a mid-tier QB on bye or underperforming, you might pivot to a waiver wire option. Or maybe stream a QB with a favorable matchup. But Mariota is one of the more attractive fill-in options this week given the confirmation of his start. If your other QBs are healthy and have solid projections, compare their matchups and floor/ceiling before making a switch. Marcus Mariota Week 3.
Conclusion
Marcus Mariota stepping in for Jayden Daniels in Week 3 against the Raiders is good news for fantasy managers who need a QB. He may not be a superstar, but he brings a safe floor, low turnover risk, and upside via his rushing ability. If your QB spot is weak or you need stability, go ahead and start him. If you have a stronger option, Mariota is more of a swing play.
