Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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. Michael Penix Jr. at 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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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

QBAtlanta Falcons#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

14.9 PPG13.4 PPG

14 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between C.J. Stroud and Michael Penix Jr. is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Houston Texans quarterback put up 14.9 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons averaged 13.4 in 9. A 1.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.5 points favors C.J. Stroud, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Michael Penix Jr. posted 1982 yards and 9 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: C.J. Stroud is off Week 8 and Michael Penix Jr. Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•C.J. Stroud outscored Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. 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 Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	13.4
Games Played	14	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	121
Passing Yards	3,041	1,982
Passing TDs	19	9
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	220.2
Rushing Yards	209	70
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	20	10
TDs/Game	1.4	1.1
Age	24	26
Experience	2 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

14.9 PPG for C.J. Stroud versus 13.4 for Michael Penix Jr. in 2025. The baseline favors C.J. Stroud, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start C.J. Stroud or Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 1.5 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.