Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 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. Tua Tagovailoa at 11.5 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 Tua Tagovailoa entirely.

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

QBMiami Dolphins#35

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

14.9 PPG11.5 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between C.J. Stroud and Tua Tagovailoa is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Houston Texans quarterback put up 14.9 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins averaged 11.5 in 14. A 3.4-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.4 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 Tua Tagovailoa posted 2660 yards and 20 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 Tua Tagovailoa rests in Week 6. 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

C.J. Stroud is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Tua Tagovailoa is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. 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. Tua Tagovailoa (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•C.J. Stroud outscored Tua Tagovailoa by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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 Tua Tagovailoa (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

C.J. Stroud vs Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Tua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	11.5
Games Played	14	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	161
Passing Yards	3,041	2,660
Passing TDs	19	20
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	190.0
Rushing Yards	209	43
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	20	20
TDs/Game	1.4	1.4
Age	24	28
Experience	2 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 6

Summary

14.9 PPG for C.J. Stroud versus 11.5 for Tua Tagovailoa 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 Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 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 Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.4 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 3.4 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.