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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr or Jake BrowningWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Derek Carr over Jake Browning in 2026.

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG in 2025 to Jake Browning's 11.3, a 4.5 point per game edge. Carr also stayed healthier, playing 15 games to 5, which steadies his weekly floor.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.5-PPG advantage is real (15.8 to 11.3), and Derek Carr's 23 touchdowns show scoring upside. Jake Browning is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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QBNew Orleans SaintsPPG LEADER

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBTampa Bay Buccaneers

Jake Browning

PPG

11.3

Games

Pass Yds

771

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Jake Browning

Head to Head

15.8 PPG11.3 PPG

15 GP5 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Unranked QB. Jake Browning: Unranked QB. Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Jake Browning at 51%. That per-game gap means Derek Carr carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Jake Browning: The Full Breakdown

Derek Carr and Jake Browning are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG across 15 games with the New Orleans Saints, while Jake Browning posted 11.3 PPG in 5 appearances for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A 4.5-PPG gap gives Derek Carr the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Jake Browning posted 771 yards and 6 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: Derek Carr sits Week 12 while Jake Browning is off Week 11. 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

If you can acquire Derek Carr at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Jake Browning is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Jake Browning (age 30) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Derek Carr outscored Jake Browning by a projected 77 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Jake Browning's 5. 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 Jake Browning: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Jake Browning
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	11.3
Games Played	15	5
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	57
Passing Yards	3,428	771
Passing TDs	22	6
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	154.2
Rushing Yards	105	39
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	23	7
TDs/Game	1.5	1.4
Age	-	30
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 11

Summary

Derek Carr outscored Jake Browning by 4.5 PPG in 2025 (15.8 to 11.3). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derek Carr or Jake Browning in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Jake Browning's 11.3 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.

Should I draft Derek Carr or Jake Browning in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Derek Carr is the earlier pick. He averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Jake Browning's 11.3, a 4.5 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Derek Carr and Jake Browning average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jake Browning averaged 11.3 PPG over 5 games. That is a difference of 4.5 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Jake Browning's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Jake Browning (TB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Jake Browning a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Jake Browning by 4.5 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.