Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Mac JonesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Mac Jones's 11.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

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

C.J. Stroud has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.1-PPG advantage is real (14.9 to 11.8), and C.J. Stroud's 20 touchdowns show scoring upside. Mac Jones is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

QBSan Francisco 49ers#33

Mac Jones

PPG

11.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,151

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Mac Jones

Head to Head

14.9 PPG11.8 PPG

14 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Mac Jones at 54%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Mac Jones: The Full Breakdown

C.J. Stroud and Mac Jones are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 PPG across 14 games with the Houston Texans, while Mac Jones posted 11.8 PPG in 11 appearances for the San Francisco 49ers.

A 3.1-PPG gap gives C.J. Stroud 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.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Mac Jones posted 2151 yards and 13 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 8 bye. That means you need a backup plan at quarterback for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire C.J. Stroud at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Mac Jones is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. 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. Mac Jones (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 Mac Jones by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Mac Jones's 11. 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.
•Both players share a Week 8 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

C.J. Stroud vs Mac Jones: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Mac Jones
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	11.8
Games Played	14	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	130
Passing Yards	3,041	2,151
Passing TDs	19	13
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	195.5
Rushing Yards	209	60
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	20	13
TDs/Game	1.4	1.2
Age	24	27
Experience	2 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 8

Summary

C.J. Stroud outscored Mac Jones by 3.1 PPG in 2025 (14.9 to 11.8). 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 Mac Jones in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Mac Jones's 11.8 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 Mac Jones average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

Do C.J. Stroud and Mac Jones share a bye week?▾

Yes, both C.J. Stroud and Mac Jones share a Week 8 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is C.J. Stroud or Mac Jones a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Mac Jones by 3.1 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.