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Head to Head

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Daniel Jones vs Derek CarrWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.4 PPG to Derek Carr's 15.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Daniel Jones is the better play on a neutral week. 17.4 PPG with 3,265 yards gives a reliable baseline. Derek Carr at 15.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Daniel Jones higher, but do not fade Derek Carr entirely.

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

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QBIndianapolis Colts#13PPG LEADER
Daniel Jones
PPG
17.4
Games
13
Pass Yds
3,101
Pass TDs
19
Rush Yds
164
Rush TDs
5
Bye
Week 13
QBNew Orleans Saints#99
Derek Carr
PPG
15.8
Games
15
Pass Yds
3,428
Pass TDs
22
Rush Yds
105
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 12

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Daniel Jones
Derek Carr

Head to Head

17.4 PPG15.8 PPG
13 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Daniel Jones: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #13 at the position). Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Daniel Jones is producing at 79% of elite pace and Derek Carr at 72%. That ranking gap means Daniel Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Daniel Jones vs Derek Carr: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Daniel Jones and Derek Carr for your lineup, you are not alone. Daniel Jones finished the 2025 season at 17.4 PPG for the Indianapolis Colts (13 games), and Derek Carr averaged 15.8 for the New Orleans Saints (15 games).

That 1.6-point weekly advantage for Daniel Jones is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Daniel Jones threw for 3101 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.

Daniel Jones has his bye in Week 13, and Derek Carr rests in Week 12. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Daniel Jones (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Daniel Jones outscored Derek Carr by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Daniel Jones's 13. That durability gap means Derek Carr contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Daniel Jones scored 24 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Daniel Jones vs Derek Carr: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDaniel JonesDerek Carr
PPG (Half-PPR)17.415.8
Games Played1315
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)226237
Passing Yards3,1013,428
Passing TDs1922
Pass Yds/Game238.5228.5
Rushing Yards164105
Rushing TDs51
Total TDs2423
TDs/Game1.81.5
Age29-
Experience6 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Daniel Jones at 17.4 PPG, 1.6 points per game above Derek Carr's 15.8. 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 Daniel Jones or Derek Carr in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Daniel Jones has the edge at 17.4 PPG compared to Derek Carr's 15.8 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 Daniel Jones and Derek Carr average in 2025?

Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Daniel Jones and Derek Carr's bye weeks in 2026?

Daniel Jones (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Daniel Jones or Derek Carr a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Daniel Jones outscored Derek Carr by 1.6 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.

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