Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Jordan LoveWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jordan Love is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.7 PPG to C.J. Stroud's 14.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jordan Love is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jordan Love edges C.J. Stroud by 0.8 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, Jordan Love 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

QBGreen Bay Packers#21PPG LEADER

Jordan Love

PPG

15.7

Games

Pass Yds

3,381

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

199

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Jordan Love

Head to Head

14.9 PPG15.7 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Jordan Love: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #21 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Jordan Love at 71%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

C.J. Stroud vs Jordan Love: The Full Breakdown

The gap between C.J. Stroud and Jordan Love is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.8 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 PPG with the Houston Texans across 14 games, and Jordan Love posted 15.7 with the Green Bay Packers in 15.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Jordan Love posted 3381 yards and 23 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 Jordan Love rests in Week 11. 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. Jordan Love (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Jordan Love outscored C.J. Stroud by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jordan Love played 15 games in 2025 compared to C.J. Stroud's 14. That durability gap means Jordan Love contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jordan Love scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

C.J. Stroud vs Jordan Love: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Jordan Love
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	15.7
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	236
Passing Yards	3,041	3,381
Passing TDs	19	23
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	225.4
Rushing Yards	209	199
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	20	23
TDs/Game	1.4	1.5
Age	24	27
Experience	2 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

Jordan Love outscored C.J. Stroud by 0.8 PPG in 2025 (15.7 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 Jordan Love in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jordan Love has the edge at 15.7 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 Jordan Love average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jordan Love averaged 15.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Jordan Love's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Jordan Love (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Jordan Love a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jordan Love outscored C.J. Stroud by 0.8 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.