Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Deshaun WatsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 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 2.7-PPG advantage is real (14.9 to 12.2), and C.J. Stroud's 20 touchdowns show scoring upside. Deshaun Watson 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#23PPG LEADER

C.J. Stroud

PPG

14.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

QBCleveland Browns#99

Deshaun Watson

PPG

12.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,105

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

185

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Deshaun Watson

Head to Head

14.9 PPG12.2 PPG

14 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Deshaun Watson at 55%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Deshaun Watson: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans) finished the 2025 season averaging 14.9 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns) came in at 12.2 PPG over 11 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

C.J. Stroud carries a 2.7-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Deshaun Watson posted 2105 yards and 12 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

C.J. Stroud has his bye in Week 8, and Deshaun Watson rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. Deshaun Watson (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•C.J. Stroud outscored Deshaun Watson by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Deshaun Watson's 11. 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

C.J. Stroud vs Deshaun Watson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Deshaun Watson
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	12.2
Games Played	14	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	134
Passing Yards	3,041	2,105
Passing TDs	19	12
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	191.4
Rushing Yards	209	185
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	20	14
TDs/Game	1.4	1.3
Age	24	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, C.J. Stroud holds the PPG edge with solid output at 14.9 points per game. Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start C.J. Stroud or Deshaun Watson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 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 Deshaun Watson average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Deshaun Watson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Deshaun Watson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Deshaun Watson by 2.7 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.