Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Derek CarrWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to C.J. Stroud's 14.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Derek Carr and C.J. Stroud are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.9-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBHouston Texans#23

C.J. Stroud

PPG

14.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

QBNew Orleans Saints#99PPG LEADER

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Derek Carr

Head to Head

14.9 PPG15.8 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Derek Carr: 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 Derek Carr at 72%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Derek Carr: The Full Breakdown

C.J. Stroud (14.9 PPG) and Derek Carr (15.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. C.J. Stroud played 14 games for the Houston Texans; Derek Carr suited up 15 times for the New Orleans Saints.

A 0.9-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Derek Carr posted 3428 yards and 22 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 Derek Carr is off Week 12. 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. 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. Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Derek Carr outscored C.J. Stroud by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to C.J. Stroud's 14. That durability gap means Derek Carr contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Derek Carr scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

C.J. Stroud vs Derek Carr: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Derek Carr
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	15.8
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	237
Passing Yards	3,041	3,428
Passing TDs	19	22
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	228.5
Rushing Yards	209	105
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	20	23
TDs/Game	1.4	1.5
Age	24	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derek Carr at 15.8 PPG, 0.9 points per game above C.J. Stroud's 14.9. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start C.J. Stroud or Derek Carr in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to C.J. Stroud's 14.9 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 Derek Carr average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Derek Carr's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Derek Carr a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored C.J. Stroud by 0.9 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.