Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Mac JonesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Mac Jones's 11.8 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. Mac Jones at 11.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derek Carr higher, but do not fade Mac Jones 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

QBSan Francisco 49ers#33

Mac Jones

PPG

11.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,151

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Mac Jones

Head to Head

15.8 PPG11.8 PPG

15 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Mac Jones at 54%. That ranking gap means Mac Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Mac Jones: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Derek Carr and Mac Jones is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New Orleans Saints quarterback put up 15.8 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers averaged 11.8 in 11. A 4.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.0 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 Mac Jones posted 2151 yards and 13 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 Mac Jones is off Week 8. 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

Derek Carr is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Mac Jones 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. Mac Jones (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 Mac Jones by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Mac Jones's 11. 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 Mac Jones: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Mac Jones
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	11.8
Games Played	15	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	130
Passing Yards	3,428	2,151
Passing TDs	22	13
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	195.5
Rushing Yards	105	60
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	23	13
TDs/Game	1.5	1.2
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 8

Summary

15.8 PPG for Derek Carr versus 11.8 for Mac Jones 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 Mac Jones in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Mac Jones's 11.8 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 Mac Jones average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 4.0 points per game.

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

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Mac Jones (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

Derek Carr outscored Mac Jones by 4.0 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.