Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dak Prescott vs Derek CarrWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dak Prescott is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 18.5 PPG to Derek Carr's 15.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dak Prescott is the better fantasy play this season.

Dak Prescott is the better play on a neutral week. 18.5 PPG with 4,729 yards gives a reliable baseline. Derek Carr at 15.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Dak Prescott higher, but do not fade Derek Carr entirely.

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

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QBDallas Cowboys#9PPG LEADER

Dak Prescott

PPG

18.5

Games

Pass Yds

4,552

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

177

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

QBNew Orleans Saints#99

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Dak Prescott

Derek Carr

Head to Head

18.5 PPG15.8 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Dak Prescott: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #9 at the position). Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Dak Prescott is producing at 84% of elite pace and Derek Carr at 72%. That ranking gap means Dak Prescott carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dak Prescott vs Derek Carr: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Dak Prescott and Derek Carr for your lineup, you are not alone. Dak Prescott finished the 2025 season at 18.5 PPG for the Dallas Cowboys (17 games), and Derek Carr averaged 15.8 for the New Orleans Saints (15 games).

That 2.7-point weekly advantage for Dak Prescott 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. Dak Prescott threw for 4552 yards and 30 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: Dak Prescott sits Week 14 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

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: Dak Prescott (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Dak Prescott outscored Derek Carr by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dak Prescott played 17 games in 2025 compared to Derek Carr's 15. That durability gap means Dak Prescott contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Dak Prescott scored 32 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dak Prescott vs Derek Carr: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dak Prescott	Derek Carr
PPG (Half-PPR)	18.5	15.8
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	315	237
Passing Yards	4,552	3,428
Passing TDs	30	22
Pass Yds/Game	267.8	228.5
Rushing Yards	177	105
Rushing TDs	2	1
Total TDs	32	23
TDs/Game	1.9	1.5
Age	32	-
Experience	9 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Dak Prescott at 18.5 PPG, 2.7 points per game above Derek Carr's 15.8. 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 Dak Prescott or Derek Carr in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dak Prescott has the edge at 18.5 PPG compared to Derek Carr's 15.8 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 Dak Prescott and Derek Carr average in 2025?▾

Dak Prescott averaged 18.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

When are Dak Prescott and Derek Carr's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dak Prescott (DAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dak Prescott or Derek Carr a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Dak Prescott outscored Derek Carr by 2.7 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.