Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Jared GoffWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jared Goff is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.5 PPG to Derek Carr's 15.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jared Goff is the better fantasy play this season.

Jared Goff is the better play on a neutral week. 17.5 PPG with 4,609 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 Jared Goff higher, but do not fade Derek Carr entirely.

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

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBDetroit Lions#12PPG LEADER

Jared Goff

PPG

17.5

Games

Pass Yds

4,564

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Jared Goff

Head to Head

15.8 PPG17.5 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Jared Goff: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #12 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Jared Goff at 80%. That ranking gap means Jared Goff carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Jared Goff: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Derek Carr and Jared Goff is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New Orleans Saints quarterback put up 15.8 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions averaged 17.5 in 17. A 1.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.7 points favors Jared Goff, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Jared Goff posted 4564 yards and 34 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 Jared Goff Week 6. 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

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. Jared Goff (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year.

Did You Know?

•Jared Goff outscored Derek Carr by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jared Goff played 17 games in 2025 compared to Derek Carr's 15. That durability gap means Jared Goff contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jared Goff scored 34 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derek Carr vs Jared Goff: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Jared Goff
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	17.5
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	298
Passing Yards	3,428	4,564
Passing TDs	22	34
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	268.5
Rushing Yards	105	45
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	23	34
TDs/Game	1.5	2.0
Age	-	31
Experience	-	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 6

Summary

17.5 PPG for Jared Goff versus 15.8 for Derek Carr in 2025. The baseline favors Jared Goff, 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 Jared Goff in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jared Goff has the edge at 17.5 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 Derek Carr and Jared Goff average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jared Goff averaged 17.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Jared Goff's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Jared Goff (DET) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Jared Goff a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jared Goff outscored Derek Carr by 1.7 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.