Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Tyler ShoughWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Tyler Shough's 14.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

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

This one is genuinely close. C.J. Stroud edges Tyler Shough by 0.5 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, C.J. Stroud goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track C.J. Stroud and Tyler Shough in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

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

QBNew Orleans Saints#24

Tyler Shough

PPG

14.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,384

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

186

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Tyler Shough

Head to Head

14.9 PPG14.4 PPG

14 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Tyler Shough: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Tyler Shough at 65%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

C.J. Stroud vs Tyler Shough: The Full Breakdown

C.J. Stroud (14.9 PPG) and Tyler Shough (14.4 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. C.J. Stroud played 14 games for the Houston Texans; Tyler Shough suited up 11 times for the New Orleans Saints.

A 0.5-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Tyler Shough posted 2384 yards and 10 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

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. Tyler Shough (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 Tyler Shough by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•C.J. Stroud played 14 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Shough'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 Tyler Shough: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Tyler Shough
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	14.4
Games Played	14	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	158
Passing Yards	3,041	2,384
Passing TDs	19	10
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	216.7
Rushing Yards	209	186
Rushing TDs	1	3
Total TDs	20	13
TDs/Game	1.4	1.2
Age	24	26
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, C.J. Stroud holds the PPG edge with solid output at 14.9 points per game. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on C.J. Stroud vs Tyler Shough

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on C.J. Stroud vs Tyler Shough

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start C.J. Stroud or Tyler Shough in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Tyler Shough's 14.4 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 Tyler Shough average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

Do C.J. Stroud and Tyler Shough share a bye week?▾

Yes, both C.J. Stroud and Tyler Shough 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 Tyler Shough a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Tyler Shough by 0.5 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.