Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Lamar JacksonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Derek Carr's 15.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Lamar Jackson and Derek Carr are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.7-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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Derek Carr and Lamar Jackson in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBNew Orleans Saints#99

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBBaltimore Ravens#16PPG LEADER

Lamar Jackson

PPG

16.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,549

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

349

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Lamar Jackson

Head to Head

15.8 PPG16.5 PPG

15 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Lamar Jackson at 75%. That ranking gap means Lamar Jackson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Lamar Jackson: The Full Breakdown

Derek Carr (15.8 PPG) and Lamar Jackson (16.5 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. Derek Carr played 15 games for the New Orleans Saints; Lamar Jackson suited up 13 times for the Baltimore Ravens.

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. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Lamar Jackson posted 2549 yards and 21 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: Derek Carr sits Week 12 while Lamar Jackson is off Week 13. 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: Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Lamar Jackson (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Lamar Jackson outscored Derek Carr by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Lamar Jackson's 13. 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.
•Lamar Jackson added 349 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derek Carr vs Lamar Jackson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Lamar Jackson
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	16.5
Games Played	15	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	215
Passing Yards	3,428	2,549
Passing TDs	22	21
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	196.1
Rushing Yards	105	349
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	23	23
TDs/Game	1.5	1.8
Age	-	29
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 13

Summary

16.5 PPG for Lamar Jackson versus 15.8 for Derek Carr in 2025. The baseline favors Lamar Jackson, 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Derek Carr vs Lamar Jackson

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 Derek Carr vs Lamar Jackson

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 Derek Carr or Lamar Jackson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Lamar Jackson has the edge at 16.5 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 Derek Carr and Lamar Jackson average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Lamar Jackson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Derek Carr or Lamar Jackson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Lamar Jackson outscored Derek Carr 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.