Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Derek CarrWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Derek Carr's 15.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Baker Mayfield and Derek Carr are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.2-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.

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QBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19PPG LEADER

Baker Mayfield

PPG

16.0

Games

Pass Yds

3,693

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBNew Orleans Saints#99

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

Derek Carr

Head to Head

16.0 PPG15.8 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and Derek Carr at 72%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Derek Carr: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Baker Mayfield finished the 2025 season at 16.0 PPG over 17 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Derek Carr clocked in at 15.8 across 15 appearances for the New Orleans Saints. 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. Baker Mayfield threw for 3693 yards and 26 touchdowns, while Derek Carr posted 3428 yards and 22 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Baker Mayfield is off Week 10 and Derek Carr Week 12. 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: Baker Mayfield (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Baker Mayfield outscored Derek Carr by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to Derek Carr's 15. That durability gap means Baker Mayfield contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Baker Mayfield scored 27 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Baker Mayfield added 382 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Baker Mayfield vs Derek Carr: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Derek Carr
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	15.8
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	237
Passing Yards	3,693	3,428
Passing TDs	26	22
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	228.5
Rushing Yards	382	105
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	27	23
TDs/Game	1.6	1.5
Age	31	-
Experience	7 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 12

Summary

16.0 PPG for Baker Mayfield versus 15.8 for Derek Carr in 2025. The baseline favors Baker Mayfield, 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 Baker Mayfield or Derek Carr in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 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 Baker Mayfield and Derek Carr average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and Derek Carr's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Baker Mayfield or Derek Carr a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield outscored Derek Carr 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.