Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Caleb Williams vs C.J. StroudWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Caleb Williams is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 18.7 PPG to C.J. Stroud's 14.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Caleb Williams is the better fantasy play this season.

Caleb Williams is the better play on a neutral week. 18.7 PPG with 4,347 yards gives a reliable baseline. C.J. Stroud at 14.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Caleb Williams higher, but do not fade C.J. Stroud entirely.

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

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QBChicago Bears#8PPG LEADER

Caleb Williams

PPG

18.7

Games

Pass Yds

3,942

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

383

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBHouston Texans#23

C.J. Stroud

PPG

14.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Caleb Williams

C.J. Stroud

Head to Head

18.7 PPG14.9 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Caleb Williams: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #8 at the position). C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Caleb Williams is producing at 85% of elite pace and C.J. Stroud at 68%. That ranking gap means Caleb Williams carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Caleb Williams vs C.J. Stroud: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Caleb Williams and C.J. Stroud for your lineup, you are not alone. Caleb Williams finished the 2025 season at 18.7 PPG for the Chicago Bears (17 games), and C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 for the Houston Texans (14 games).

That 3.8-point weekly advantage for Caleb Williams is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Caleb Williams threw for 3942 yards and 27 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.

One scheduling note: Caleb Williams is off Week 10 and C.J. Stroud Week 8. 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

Caleb Williams is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. C.J. Stroud is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Caleb Williams (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. 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?

•Caleb Williams outscored C.J. Stroud by a projected 65 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Caleb Williams played 17 games in 2025 compared to C.J. Stroud's 14. That durability gap means Caleb Williams contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Caleb Williams scored 31 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Caleb Williams added 383 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Caleb Williams vs C.J. Stroud: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Caleb Williams	C.J. Stroud
PPG (Half-PPR)	18.7	14.9
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	318	209
Passing Yards	3,942	3,041
Passing TDs	27	19
Pass Yds/Game	231.9	217.2
Rushing Yards	383	209
Rushing TDs	3	1
Total TDs	31	20
TDs/Game	1.8	1.4
Age	24	24
Experience	1 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Caleb Williams at 18.7 PPG, 3.8 points per game above C.J. Stroud's 14.9. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Caleb Williams or C.J. Stroud in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Caleb Williams has the edge at 18.7 PPG compared to C.J. Stroud's 14.9 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 Caleb Williams and C.J. Stroud average in 2025?▾

Caleb Williams averaged 18.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.8 points per game.

When are Caleb Williams and C.J. Stroud's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Caleb Williams (CHI) 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 Caleb Williams or C.J. Stroud a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Caleb Williams outscored C.J. Stroud by 3.8 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.