Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Gardner MinshewWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

Derek Carr is the better play on a neutral week. 15.8 PPG with 3,533 yards gives a reliable baseline. Gardner Minshew at 12.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derek Carr higher, but do not fade Gardner Minshew entirely.

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

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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

QBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Gardner Minshew

PPG

12.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,420

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

125

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Gardner Minshew

Head to Head

15.8 PPG12.4 PPG

15 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Gardner Minshew: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Gardner Minshew at 56%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Derek Carr vs Gardner Minshew: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Derek Carr and Gardner Minshew is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New Orleans Saints quarterback put up 15.8 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Gardner Minshew of the Las Vegas Raiders averaged 12.4 in 12. A 3.4-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.4 points favors Derek Carr, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Gardner Minshew posted 2420 yards and 14 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Derek Carr has his bye in Week 12, and Gardner Minshew rests in Week 10. 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

Derek Carr is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Gardner Minshew is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Gardner Minshew (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 Gardner Minshew by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Gardner Minshew's 12. 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

Derek Carr vs Gardner Minshew: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Gardner Minshew
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	12.4
Games Played	15	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	149
Passing Yards	3,428	2,420
Passing TDs	22	14
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	201.7
Rushing Yards	105	125
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	23	15
TDs/Game	1.5	1.3
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 10

Summary

15.8 PPG for Derek Carr versus 12.4 for Gardner Minshew in 2025. The baseline favors Derek Carr, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derek Carr or Gardner Minshew in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 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 Derek Carr and Gardner Minshew average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 3.4 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Gardner Minshew's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Gardner Minshew (LV) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Gardner Minshew a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Gardner Minshew by 3.4 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.