Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Justin FieldsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Justin Fields is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.9 PPG to Derek Carr's 15.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Justin Fields is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Justin Fields and Derek Carr 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#99

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBNew York Jets#20PPG LEADER

Justin Fields

PPG

15.9

Games

Pass Yds

1,259

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

383

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Justin Fields

Head to Head

15.8 PPG15.9 PPG

15 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Justin Fields: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Justin Fields at 72%. That ranking gap means Justin Fields carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Justin Fields: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Derek Carr and Justin Fields 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 Justin Fields posted 15.9 with the New York Jets in 9.

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 Justin Fields posted 1259 yards and 7 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 Justin Fields rests in Week 13. 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. Justin Fields (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Justin Fields outscored Derek Carr by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Justin Fields's 9. 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.
•Justin Fields added 383 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derek Carr vs Justin Fields: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Justin Fields
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	15.9
Games Played	15	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	143
Passing Yards	3,428	1,259
Passing TDs	22	7
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	139.9
Rushing Yards	105	383
Rushing TDs	1	4
Total TDs	23	11
TDs/Game	1.5	1.2
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 13

Summary

15.9 PPG for Justin Fields versus 15.8 for Derek Carr in 2025. The baseline favors Justin Fields, 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 Justin Fields in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Justin Fields has the edge at 15.9 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 Justin Fields average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Justin Fields averaged 15.9 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Justin Fields's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Justin Fields (NYJ) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Justin Fields a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Justin Fields outscored Derek Carr 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.