Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cooper Rush vs Derek CarrWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Cooper Rush's 11.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

Derek Carr is the better play on a neutral week. 15.8 PPG with 3,533 yards gives a reliable baseline. Cooper Rush at 11.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derek Carr higher, but do not fade Cooper Rush entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBDallas Cowboys#99

Cooper Rush

PPG

11.1

Games

Pass Yds

1,985

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBNew Orleans Saints#99PPG LEADER

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Cooper Rush

Derek Carr

Head to Head

11.1 PPG15.8 PPG

10 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Rush: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Cooper Rush is producing at 50% of elite pace and Derek Carr at 72%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Cooper Rush vs Derek Carr: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Cooper Rush and Derek Carr for your lineup, you are not alone. Cooper Rush finished the 2025 season at 11.1 PPG for the Dallas Cowboys (10 games), and Derek Carr averaged 15.8 for the New Orleans Saints (15 games).

That 4.7-point weekly advantage for Derek Carr is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Cooper Rush threw for 1985 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Derek Carr posted 3428 yards and 22 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Cooper Rush sits Week 7 while Derek Carr is off Week 12. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Derek Carr is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Cooper Rush is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Cooper Rush (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Derek Carr outscored Cooper Rush by a projected 80 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Rush's 10. That durability gap means Derek Carr contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Derek Carr scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Rush vs Derek Carr: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Rush	Derek Carr
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.1	15.8
Games Played	10	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	111	237
Passing Yards	1,985	3,428
Passing TDs	12	22
Pass Yds/Game	198.5	228.5
Rushing Yards	28	105
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	12	23
TDs/Game	1.2	1.5
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derek Carr at 15.8 PPG, 4.7 points per game above Cooper Rush's 11.1. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cooper Rush or Derek Carr in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Cooper Rush's 11.1 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 Cooper Rush and Derek Carr average in 2025?▾

Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 4.7 points per game.

When are Cooper Rush and Derek Carr's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cooper Rush (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cooper Rush or Derek Carr a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Cooper Rush by 4.7 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.