Head to Head · Start / Sit

C.J. Stroud vs Patrick Mahomes

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

QBHouston Texans

C.J. Stroud

PPG

15.5

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

QBKansas City ChiefsPPG LEADER

Patrick Mahomes

PPG

21.2

Games

Pass Yds

3,587

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

422

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

Head to Head

15.5 PPG21.2 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

C.J. Stroud vs Patrick Mahomes: Who Should You Start?

C.J. Stroud and Patrick Mahomes are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. C.J. Stroud averaged 15.5 PPG across 14 games with the Houston Texans, while Patrick Mahomes posted 21.2 PPG in 14 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 5.7-PPG gap gives Patrick Mahomes 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.

Patrick Mahomes offers meaningful rushing upside with 422 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like C.J. Stroud (3041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: C.J. Stroud sits Week 14 while Patrick Mahomes is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

The Bottom Line

Patrick Mahomes outscored C.J. Stroud by 5.7 PPG in 2025 (21.2 to 15.5). 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 Patrick Mahomes in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Patrick Mahomes has the edge at 21.2 PPG compared to C.J. Stroud's 15.5 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 Patrick Mahomes average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 15.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Patrick Mahomes averaged 21.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.7 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Patrick Mahomes's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Patrick Mahomes (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Patrick Mahomes a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Patrick Mahomes outscored C.J. Stroud by 5.7 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.