Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Jayden DanielsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.3 PPG to Derek Carr's 15.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jayden Daniels edges Derek Carr by 0.5 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Jayden Daniels goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Derek Carr and Jayden Daniels in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBNew Orleans Saints#99

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBWashington Commanders#17PPG LEADER

Jayden Daniels

PPG

16.3

Games

Pass Yds

1,262

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

278

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Jayden Daniels

Head to Head

15.8 PPG16.3 PPG

15 GP7 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Jayden Daniels: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #17 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Jayden Daniels at 74%. That ranking gap means Jayden Daniels carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Jayden Daniels: The Full Breakdown

Derek Carr (15.8 PPG) and Jayden Daniels (16.3 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Derek Carr played 15 games for the New Orleans Saints; Jayden Daniels suited up 7 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 0.5-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Jayden Daniels posted 1262 yards and 8 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 Jayden Daniels is off Week 7. 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: Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Jayden Daniels (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Jayden Daniels outscored Derek Carr by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Jayden Daniels's 7. 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 Jayden Daniels: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Jayden Daniels
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	16.3
Games Played	15	7
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	114
Passing Yards	3,428	1,262
Passing TDs	22	8
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	180.3
Rushing Yards	105	278
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	23	10
TDs/Game	1.5	1.4
Age	-	25
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jayden Daniels holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.3 points per game. Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Derek Carr vs Jayden Daniels

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Derek Carr vs Jayden Daniels

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derek Carr or Jayden Daniels in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jayden Daniels has the edge at 16.3 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 Jayden Daniels average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 PPG over 7 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Jayden Daniels's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Jayden Daniels (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Jayden Daniels a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels outscored Derek Carr by 0.5 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.