Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Gardner MinshewWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 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 2.5-PPG advantage is real (14.9 to 12.4), and C.J. Stroud's 20 touchdowns show scoring upside. Gardner Minshew 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

QBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Gardner Minshew

PPG

12.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,420

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

125

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Gardner Minshew

Head to Head

14.9 PPG12.4 PPG

14 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Gardner Minshew: 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 Gardner Minshew at 56%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Gardner Minshew: 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. Gardner Minshew (Las Vegas Raiders) came in at 12.4 PPG over 12 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

C.J. Stroud carries a 2.5-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 Gardner Minshew posted 2420 yards and 14 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: C.J. Stroud is off Week 8 and Gardner Minshew Week 10. 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: 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. Gardner Minshew (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 Gardner Minshew by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Gardner Minshew's 12. 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 Gardner Minshew: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Gardner Minshew
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	12.4
Games Played	14	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	149
Passing Yards	3,041	2,420
Passing TDs	19	14
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	201.7
Rushing Yards	209	125
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	20	15
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. Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 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 Gardner Minshew in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 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 Gardner Minshew average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Gardner Minshew's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is C.J. Stroud or Gardner Minshew a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Gardner Minshew 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.