Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Daniel JonesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.4 PPG to C.J. Stroud's 14.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Daniel Jones has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.5-PPG advantage is real (17.4 to 14.9), and Daniel Jones's 24 touchdowns show scoring upside. C.J. Stroud 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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QBHouston Texans#23

C.J. Stroud

PPG

14.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

QBIndianapolis Colts#13PPG LEADER

Daniel Jones

PPG

17.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,101

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

164

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Daniel Jones

Head to Head

14.9 PPG17.4 PPG

14 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Daniel Jones: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #13 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Daniel Jones at 79%. That ranking gap means Daniel Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Daniel Jones: The Full Breakdown

C.J. Stroud and Daniel Jones are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 PPG across 14 games with the Houston Texans, while Daniel Jones posted 17.4 PPG in 13 appearances for the Indianapolis Colts.

A 2.5-PPG gap gives Daniel Jones 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. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Daniel Jones posted 3101 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: C.J. Stroud sits Week 8 while Daniel Jones 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: 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. Daniel Jones (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Daniel Jones outscored C.J. Stroud by a projected 42 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Daniel Jones's 13. That durability gap means C.J. Stroud contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Daniel Jones scored 24 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•C.J. Stroud is 5 years younger than Daniel Jones (24 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

C.J. Stroud vs Daniel Jones: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Daniel Jones
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	17.4
Games Played	14	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	226
Passing Yards	3,041	3,101
Passing TDs	19	19
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	238.5
Rushing Yards	209	164
Rushing TDs	1	5
Total TDs	20	24
TDs/Game	1.4	1.8
Age	24	29
Experience	2 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 13

Summary

Daniel Jones outscored C.J. Stroud by 2.5 PPG in 2025 (17.4 to 14.9). 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 C.J. Stroud or Daniel Jones in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Daniel Jones has the edge at 17.4 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 C.J. Stroud and Daniel Jones average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Daniel Jones's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Daniel Jones (IND) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Daniel Jones a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones outscored C.J. Stroud by 2.5 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.