Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Jameis WinstonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Jameis Winston's 10.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy play this season.

C.J. Stroud is the better play on a neutral week. 14.9 PPG with 3,250 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jameis Winston at 10.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft C.J. Stroud higher, but do not fade Jameis Winston entirely.

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

Jameis Winston

PPG

10.9

Games

Pass Yds

2,125

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Jameis Winston

Head to Head

14.9 PPG10.9 PPG

14 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Jameis Winston: 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 Jameis Winston at 50%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Jameis Winston: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between C.J. Stroud and Jameis Winston for your lineup, you are not alone. C.J. Stroud finished the 2025 season at 14.9 PPG for the Houston Texans (14 games), and Jameis Winston averaged 10.9 for the Cleveland Browns (10 games).

That 4.0-point weekly advantage for C.J. Stroud is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Jameis Winston posted 2125 yards and 13 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 Jameis Winston 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

C.J. Stroud is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jameis Winston is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. 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. Jameis Winston (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 Jameis Winston by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Jameis Winston's 10. 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 Jameis Winston: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Jameis Winston
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	10.9
Games Played	14	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	109
Passing Yards	3,041	2,125
Passing TDs	19	13
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	212.5
Rushing Yards	209	45
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	20	14
TDs/Game	1.4	1.4
Age	24	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor C.J. Stroud at 14.9 PPG, 4.0 points per game above Jameis Winston's 10.9. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start C.J. Stroud or Jameis Winston in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Jameis Winston's 10.9 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 Jameis Winston average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jameis Winston averaged 10.9 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 4.0 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Jameis Winston's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is C.J. Stroud or Jameis Winston a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Jameis Winston by 4.0 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.