Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Jacoby BrissettWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jacoby Brissett is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.2 PPG to C.J. Stroud's 14.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jacoby Brissett is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jacoby Brissett edges C.J. Stroud by 1.3 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Jacoby Brissett goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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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

QBArizona Cardinals#18PPG LEADER

Jacoby Brissett

PPG

16.2

Games

Pass Yds

3,366

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

168

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Jacoby Brissett

Head to Head

14.9 PPG16.2 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Jacoby Brissett: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #18 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Jacoby Brissett at 74%. That ranking gap means Jacoby Brissett carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Jacoby Brissett: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. C.J. Stroud finished the 2025 season at 14.9 PPG over 14 games with the Houston Texans, while Jacoby Brissett clocked in at 16.2 across 14 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals. A 1.3-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. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Jacoby Brissett posted 3366 yards and 23 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 Jacoby Brissett Week 14. 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. Jacoby Brissett (age 33) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Jacoby Brissett outscored C.J. Stroud by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jacoby Brissett scored 24 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•C.J. Stroud is 9 years younger than Jacoby Brissett (24 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

C.J. Stroud vs Jacoby Brissett: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Jacoby Brissett
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	16.2
Games Played	14	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	227
Passing Yards	3,041	3,366
Passing TDs	19	23
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	240.4
Rushing Yards	209	168
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	20	24
TDs/Game	1.4	1.7
Age	24	33
Experience	2 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 14

Summary

Jacoby Brissett outscored C.J. Stroud by 1.3 PPG in 2025 (16.2 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 Jacoby Brissett in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jacoby Brissett has the edge at 16.2 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 Jacoby Brissett average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jacoby Brissett averaged 16.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.3 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Jacoby Brissett's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Jacoby Brissett (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Jacoby Brissett a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jacoby Brissett outscored C.J. Stroud by 1.3 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.