Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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 4.3-PPG advantage is real (14.9 to 10.6), and C.J. Stroud's 20 touchdowns show scoring upside. Shedeur Sanders 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

QBCleveland Browns#40

Shedeur Sanders

PPG

10.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,400

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

169

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

14.9 PPG10.6 PPG

14 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans) finished the 2025 season averaging 14.9 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns) came in at 10.6 PPG over 8 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

C.J. Stroud carries a 4.3-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 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 Shedeur Sanders 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

If you can acquire C.J. Stroud at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Shedeur Sanders 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. Shedeur Sanders (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•C.J. Stroud outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders's 8. 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 Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	10.6
Games Played	14	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	85
Passing Yards	3,041	1,400
Passing TDs	19	7
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	175.0
Rushing Yards	209	169
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	20	8
TDs/Game	1.4	1.0
Age	24	24
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, C.J. Stroud holds the PPG edge with solid output at 14.9 points per game. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start C.J. Stroud or Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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 Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Shedeur Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is C.J. Stroud or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Shedeur Sanders by 4.3 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.