Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs C.J. StroudWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy play this season.

C.J. Stroud is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 14.9 PPG and 3,250 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Andy Dalton (9.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster C.J. Stroud as the starter and Andy Dalton as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBCarolina Panthers#99

Andy Dalton

PPG

9.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,925

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBHouston Texans#23PPG LEADER

C.J. Stroud

PPG

14.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

C.J. Stroud

Head to Head

9.8 PPG14.9 PPG

10 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% of elite pace and C.J. Stroud at 68%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Andy Dalton vs C.J. Stroud: The Full Breakdown

Andy Dalton and C.J. Stroud are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 PPG across 10 games with the Carolina Panthers, while C.J. Stroud posted 14.9 PPG in 14 appearances for the Houston Texans.

A 5.1-PPG gap gives C.J. Stroud 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. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 touchdowns, while C.J. Stroud posted 3041 yards and 19 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Andy Dalton is off Week 11 and C.J. Stroud Week 8. 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 C.J. Stroud at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Andy Dalton is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Andy Dalton (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. C.J. Stroud (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•C.J. Stroud outscored Andy Dalton by a projected 87 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Andy Dalton's 10. That durability gap means C.J. Stroud contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•C.J. Stroud scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs C.J. Stroud: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	C.J. Stroud
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	14.9
Games Played	10	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	209
Passing Yards	1,925	3,041
Passing TDs	10	19
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	217.2
Rushing Yards	42	209
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	10	20
TDs/Game	1.0	1.4
Age	-	24
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 8

Summary

C.J. Stroud outscored Andy Dalton by 5.1 PPG in 2025 (14.9 to 9.8). 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 Andy Dalton or C.J. Stroud in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Andy Dalton's 9.8 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 Andy Dalton and C.J. Stroud average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.1 points per game.

When are Andy Dalton and C.J. Stroud's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Andy Dalton (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Andy Dalton or C.J. Stroud a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Andy Dalton by 5.1 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.