Head to Head · Start / Sit

C.J. Stroud vs Jalen Hurts

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

QBHouston Texans

C.J. Stroud

PPG

15.5

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

QBPhiladelphia EaglesPPG LEADER

Jalen Hurts

PPG

19.1

Games

Pass Yds

3,224

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

421

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 5

Head to Head

15.5 PPG19.1 PPG

14 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 5

C.J. Stroud vs Jalen Hurts: Who Should You Start?

C.J. Stroud and Jalen Hurts are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. C.J. Stroud averaged 15.5 PPG across 14 games with the Houston Texans, while Jalen Hurts posted 19.1 PPG in 16 appearances for the Philadelphia Eagles.

A 3.6-PPG gap gives Jalen Hurts 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.

Jalen Hurts offers meaningful rushing upside with 421 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like C.J. Stroud (3041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: C.J. Stroud sits Week 14 while Jalen Hurts is off Week 5. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

The Bottom Line

Jalen Hurts outscored C.J. Stroud by 3.6 PPG in 2025 (19.1 to 15.5). 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 Jalen Hurts in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jalen Hurts has the edge at 19.1 PPG compared to C.J. Stroud's 15.5 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 Jalen Hurts average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 15.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jalen Hurts averaged 19.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 3.6 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Jalen Hurts's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Jalen Hurts (PHI) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Jalen Hurts a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jalen Hurts outscored C.J. Stroud by 3.6 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.