Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Cooper RushWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Cooper Rush's 11.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

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

C.J. Stroud has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.8-PPG advantage is real (14.9 to 11.1), and C.J. Stroud's 20 touchdowns show scoring upside. Cooper Rush is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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

QBDallas Cowboys#99

Cooper Rush

PPG

11.1

Games

Pass Yds

1,985

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Cooper Rush

Head to Head

14.9 PPG11.1 PPG

14 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Cooper Rush: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Cooper Rush at 50%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Cooper Rush: The Full Breakdown

C.J. Stroud and Cooper Rush are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 PPG across 14 games with the Houston Texans, while Cooper Rush posted 11.1 PPG in 10 appearances for the Dallas Cowboys.

A 3.8-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. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Cooper Rush posted 1985 yards and 12 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: C.J. Stroud sits Week 8 while Cooper Rush is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire C.J. Stroud at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Cooper Rush is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: 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. Cooper Rush (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•C.J. Stroud outscored Cooper Rush by a projected 65 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Rush'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

C.J. Stroud vs Cooper Rush: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Cooper Rush
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	11.1
Games Played	14	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	111
Passing Yards	3,041	1,985
Passing TDs	19	12
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	198.5
Rushing Yards	209	28
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	20	12
TDs/Game	1.4	1.2
Age	24	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 7

Summary

C.J. Stroud outscored Cooper Rush by 3.8 PPG in 2025 (14.9 to 11.1). 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 C.J. Stroud or Cooper Rush in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Cooper Rush's 11.1 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 C.J. Stroud and Cooper Rush average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 3.8 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Cooper Rush's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Cooper Rush (DAL) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Cooper Rush a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Cooper Rush by 3.8 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.