Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Russell WilsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Russell Wilson's 14.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

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

This one is genuinely close. C.J. Stroud edges Russell Wilson by 0.7 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, C.J. Stroud goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track C.J. Stroud and Russell Wilson in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

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

QBPittsburgh Steelers#99

Russell Wilson

PPG

14.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,890

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

155

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Russell Wilson

Head to Head

14.9 PPG14.2 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Russell Wilson: 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 Russell Wilson at 65%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Russell Wilson: The Full Breakdown

C.J. Stroud (14.9 PPG) and Russell Wilson (14.2 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; Russell Wilson suited up 14 times for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A 0.7-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 Russell Wilson posted 2890 yards and 18 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 Russell Wilson is off Week 9. 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. Russell Wilson (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 Russell Wilson by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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 Russell Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Russell Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	14.2
Games Played	14	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	199
Passing Yards	3,041	2,890
Passing TDs	19	18
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	206.4
Rushing Yards	209	155
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	20	20
TDs/Game	1.4	1.4
Age	24	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 9

Summary

C.J. Stroud outscored Russell Wilson by 0.7 PPG in 2025 (14.9 to 14.2). 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on C.J. Stroud vs Russell Wilson

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on C.J. Stroud vs Russell Wilson

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start C.J. Stroud or Russell Wilson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Russell Wilson's 14.2 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 Russell Wilson average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Russell Wilson averaged 14.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Russell Wilson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Russell Wilson (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Russell Wilson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Russell Wilson by 0.7 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.