Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Kyler MurrayWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.6 PPG to C.J. Stroud's 14.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Kyler Murray and C.J. Stroud are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.7-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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#22PPG LEADER

Kyler Murray

PPG

15.6

Games

Pass Yds

962

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

173

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Kyler Murray

Head to Head

14.9 PPG15.6 PPG

14 GP5 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Kyler Murray: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Kyler Murray at 71%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

C.J. Stroud vs Kyler Murray: The Full Breakdown

The gap between C.J. Stroud and Kyler Murray is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.7 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 Kyler Murray posted 15.6 with the Arizona Cardinals in 5.

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 Kyler Murray posted 962 yards and 6 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 Kyler Murray rests in Week 14. 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. Kyler Murray (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Kyler Murray outscored C.J. Stroud by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray's 5. 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.
•C.J. Stroud is 4 years younger than Kyler Murray (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

C.J. Stroud vs Kyler Murray: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Kyler Murray
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	15.6
Games Played	14	5
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	78
Passing Yards	3,041	962
Passing TDs	19	6
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	192.4
Rushing Yards	209	173
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	20	7
TDs/Game	1.4	1.4
Age	24	28
Experience	2 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kyler Murray at 15.6 PPG, 0.7 points per game above C.J. Stroud's 14.9. 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 Kyler Murray in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyler Murray has the edge at 15.6 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 Kyler Murray average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 PPG over 5 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Kyler Murray's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is C.J. Stroud or Kyler Murray a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kyler Murray outscored C.J. Stroud by 0.7 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.