Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aidan O'Connell vs C.J. StroudWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Aidan O'Connell's 12.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy play this season.

C.J. Stroud has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.1-PPG advantage is real (14.9 to 12.8), and C.J. Stroud's 20 touchdowns show scoring upside. Aidan O'Connell is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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QBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Aidan O'Connell

PPG

12.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,650

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBHouston Texans#23PPG LEADER

C.J. Stroud

PPG

14.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Aidan O'Connell

C.J. Stroud

Head to Head

12.8 PPG14.9 PPG

13 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Aidan O'Connell: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aidan O'Connell is producing at 58% of elite pace and C.J. Stroud at 68%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aidan O'Connell vs C.J. Stroud: The Full Breakdown

Aidan O'Connell and C.J. Stroud are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Aidan O'Connell averaged 12.8 PPG across 13 games with the Las Vegas Raiders, while C.J. Stroud posted 14.9 PPG in 14 appearances for the Houston Texans.

A 2.1-PPG gap gives C.J. Stroud the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Aidan O'Connell threw for 2650 yards and 16 touchdowns, while C.J. Stroud posted 3041 yards and 19 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: Aidan O'Connell sits Week 10 while C.J. Stroud 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

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: Aidan O'Connell (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. C.J. Stroud (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•C.J. Stroud outscored Aidan O'Connell by a projected 36 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Aidan O'Connell's 13. That durability gap means C.J. Stroud contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•C.J. Stroud scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aidan O'Connell vs C.J. Stroud: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aidan O'Connell	C.J. Stroud
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	14.9
Games Played	13	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	166	209
Passing Yards	2,650	3,041
Passing TDs	16	19
Pass Yds/Game	203.8	217.2
Rushing Yards	68	209
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	16	20
TDs/Game	1.2	1.4
Age	-	24
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 8

Summary

C.J. Stroud outscored Aidan O'Connell by 2.1 PPG in 2025 (14.9 to 12.8). 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 Aidan O'Connell or C.J. Stroud in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Aidan O'Connell's 12.8 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 Aidan O'Connell and C.J. Stroud average in 2025?▾

Aidan O'Connell averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.1 points per game.

When are Aidan O'Connell and C.J. Stroud's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aidan O'Connell (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aidan O'Connell or C.J. Stroud a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Aidan O'Connell by 2.1 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.