Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Kyler MurrayWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Kyler Murray's 15.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Derek Carr edges Kyler Murray by 0.2 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, Derek Carr 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.

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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

QBArizona Cardinals#22

Kyler Murray

PPG

15.6

Games

Pass Yds

962

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

173

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Kyler Murray

Head to Head

15.8 PPG15.6 PPG

15 GP5 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Kyler Murray: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Kyler Murray at 71%. That ranking gap means Kyler Murray carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Kyler Murray: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Derek Carr finished the 2025 season at 15.8 PPG over 15 games with the New Orleans Saints, while Kyler Murray clocked in at 15.6 across 5 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals. A 0.2-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Kyler Murray posted 962 yards and 6 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Derek Carr is off Week 12 and Kyler Murray Week 14. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Kyler Murray (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Derek Carr outscored Kyler Murray by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray's 5. 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 Kyler Murray: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Kyler Murray
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	15.6
Games Played	15	5
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	78
Passing Yards	3,428	962
Passing TDs	22	6
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	192.4
Rushing Yards	105	173
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	23	7
TDs/Game	1.5	1.4
Age	-	28
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 14

Summary

Derek Carr outscored Kyler Murray by 0.2 PPG in 2025 (15.8 to 15.6). 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 Derek Carr or Kyler Murray in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Kyler Murray's 15.6 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 Kyler Murray average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 PPG over 5 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Kyler Murray's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Kyler Murray (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Kyler Murray a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Kyler Murray by 0.2 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.