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Head to Head

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Derek Carr vs Jacoby BrissettWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jacoby Brissett is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.2 PPG to Derek Carr's 15.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jacoby Brissett is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Jacoby Brissett and Derek Carr are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.4-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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QBNew Orleans Saints#99
Derek Carr
PPG
15.8
Games
15
Pass Yds
3,428
Pass TDs
22
Rush Yds
105
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 12
QBArizona Cardinals#18PPG LEADER
Jacoby Brissett
PPG
16.2
Games
14
Pass Yds
3,366
Pass TDs
23
Rush Yds
168
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Derek Carr
Jacoby Brissett

Head to Head

15.8 PPG16.2 PPG
15 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Jacoby Brissett: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #18 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Jacoby Brissett at 74%. That ranking gap means Jacoby Brissett carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Jacoby Brissett: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Derek Carr and Jacoby Brissett is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.4 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG with the New Orleans Saints across 15 games, and Jacoby Brissett posted 16.2 with the Arizona Cardinals in 14.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Jacoby Brissett posted 3366 yards and 23 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Derek Carr has his bye in Week 12, and Jacoby Brissett rests in Week 14. 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

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: Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Jacoby Brissett (age 33) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

  • Jacoby Brissett outscored Derek Carr by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Jacoby Brissett's 14. That durability gap means Derek Carr contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Jacoby Brissett scored 24 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derek Carr vs Jacoby Brissett: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDerek CarrJacoby Brissett
PPG (Half-PPR)15.816.2
Games Played1514
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)237227
Passing Yards3,4283,366
Passing TDs2223
Pass Yds/Game228.5240.4
Rushing Yards105168
Rushing TDs11
Total TDs2324
TDs/Game1.51.7
Age-33
Experience-9 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 12Week 14

Summary

16.2 PPG for Jacoby Brissett versus 15.8 for Derek Carr in 2025. The baseline favors Jacoby Brissett, 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 Derek Carr or Jacoby Brissett in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jacoby Brissett has the edge at 16.2 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 Derek Carr and Jacoby Brissett average in 2025?

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jacoby Brissett averaged 16.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Jacoby Brissett's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Derek Carr or Jacoby Brissett a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Jacoby Brissett outscored Derek Carr by 0.4 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.

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