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Head to Head

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Derek Carr vs Jordan LoveWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Jordan Love's 15.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Derek Carr and Jordan Love are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-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#99PPG LEADER
Derek Carr
PPG
15.8
Games
15
Pass Yds
3,428
Pass TDs
22
Rush Yds
105
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 12
QBGreen Bay Packers#21
Jordan Love
PPG
15.7
Games
15
Pass Yds
3,381
Pass TDs
23
Rush Yds
199
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Derek Carr
Jordan Love

Head to Head

15.8 PPG15.7 PPG
15 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Jordan Love: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #21 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Jordan Love at 71%. That ranking gap means Jordan Love carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Jordan Love: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Derek Carr and Jordan Love is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.1 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 Jordan Love posted 15.7 with the Green Bay Packers in 15.

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 Jordan Love posted 3381 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 Jordan Love rests in Week 11. 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. Jordan Love (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 Jordan Love by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • 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 Jordan Love: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDerek CarrJordan Love
PPG (Half-PPR)15.815.7
Games Played1515
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)237236
Passing Yards3,4283,381
Passing TDs2223
Pass Yds/Game228.5225.4
Rushing Yards105199
Rushing TDs10
Total TDs2323
TDs/Game1.51.5
Age-27
Experience-5 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 12Week 11

Summary

15.8 PPG for Derek Carr versus 15.7 for Jordan Love in 2025. The baseline favors Derek Carr, 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 Jordan Love in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Jordan Love's 15.7 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 Jordan Love average in 2025?

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jordan Love averaged 15.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Jordan Love's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Derek Carr or Jordan Love a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Derek Carr outscored Jordan Love by 0.1 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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