Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Deshaun WatsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 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. Deshaun Watson at 12.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derek Carr higher, but do not fade Deshaun Watson entirely.

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

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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

QBCleveland Browns#99

Deshaun Watson

PPG

12.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,105

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

185

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Deshaun Watson

Head to Head

15.8 PPG12.2 PPG

15 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Deshaun Watson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Deshaun Watson at 55%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Derek Carr vs Deshaun Watson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Derek Carr and Deshaun Watson for your lineup, you are not alone. Derek Carr finished the 2025 season at 15.8 PPG for the New Orleans Saints (15 games), and Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 for the Cleveland Browns (11 games).

That 3.6-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. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Deshaun Watson posted 2105 yards and 12 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Derek Carr is off Week 12 and Deshaun Watson Week 10. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Derek Carr is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Deshaun Watson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Deshaun Watson (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 Deshaun Watson by a projected 61 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Deshaun Watson's 11. 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

Derek Carr vs Deshaun Watson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Deshaun Watson
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	12.2
Games Played	15	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	134
Passing Yards	3,428	2,105
Passing TDs	22	12
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	191.4
Rushing Yards	105	185
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	23	14
TDs/Game	1.5	1.3
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derek Carr at 15.8 PPG, 3.6 points per game above Deshaun Watson's 12.2. 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 Derek Carr or Deshaun Watson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 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 Derek Carr and Deshaun Watson average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 3.6 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Deshaun Watson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Deshaun Watson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Deshaun Watson by 3.6 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.