Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Russell WilsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Russell Wilson's 14.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

Derek Carr is the better play on a neutral week. 15.8 PPG with 3,533 yards gives a reliable baseline. Russell Wilson at 14.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derek Carr higher, but do not fade Russell Wilson 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#99PPG LEADER

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBPittsburgh Steelers#99

Russell Wilson

PPG

14.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,890

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

155

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Russell Wilson

Head to Head

15.8 PPG14.2 PPG

15 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Russell Wilson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Russell Wilson at 65%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Derek Carr vs Russell Wilson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Derek Carr and Russell Wilson for your lineup, you are not alone. Derek Carr finished the 2025 season at 15.8 PPG for the New Orleans Saints (15 games), and Russell Wilson averaged 14.2 for the Pittsburgh Steelers (14 games).

That 1.6-point weekly advantage for Derek Carr is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Russell Wilson posted 2890 yards and 18 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 Russell Wilson Week 9. 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. Russell Wilson (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 Russell Wilson by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Russell Wilson's 14. 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 Russell Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Russell Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	14.2
Games Played	15	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	199
Passing Yards	3,428	2,890
Passing TDs	22	18
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	206.4
Rushing Yards	105	155
Rushing TDs	1	2
Total TDs	23	20
TDs/Game	1.5	1.4
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 9

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derek Carr at 15.8 PPG, 1.6 points per game above Russell Wilson's 14.2. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derek Carr or Russell Wilson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Russell Wilson's 14.2 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 Russell Wilson average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Russell Wilson averaged 14.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Russell Wilson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Russell Wilson (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Russell Wilson a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Russell Wilson by 1.6 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.