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Head to Head

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Derek Carr vs Spencer RattlerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 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. Spencer Rattler at 11.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derek Carr higher, but do not fade Spencer Rattler entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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
QBNew Orleans Saints#38
Spencer Rattler
PPG
11.0
Games
9
Pass Yds
1,586
Pass TDs
8
Rush Yds
167
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Derek Carr
Spencer Rattler

Head to Head

15.8 PPG11.0 PPG
15 GP9 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Spencer Rattler: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Spencer Rattler at 50%. That ranking gap means Spencer Rattler carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Spencer Rattler: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Derek Carr and Spencer Rattler is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New Orleans Saints quarterback put up 15.8 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Spencer Rattler of the New Orleans Saints averaged 11.0 in 9. A 4.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.8 points favors Derek Carr, 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 Spencer Rattler posted 1586 yards and 8 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 Spencer Rattler rests in Week 8. 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

Derek Carr is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Spencer Rattler is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Spencer Rattler (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?

  • Derek Carr outscored Spencer Rattler by a projected 82 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Spencer Rattler'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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derek Carr vs Spencer Rattler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDerek CarrSpencer Rattler
PPG (Half-PPR)15.811.0
Games Played159
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)23799
Passing Yards3,4281,586
Passing TDs228
Pass Yds/Game228.5176.2
Rushing Yards105167
Rushing TDs10
Total TDs238
TDs/Game1.50.9
Age-25
Experience-1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 12Week 8

Summary

15.8 PPG for Derek Carr versus 11.0 for Spencer Rattler 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 Spencer Rattler in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 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 Spencer Rattler average in 2025?

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Spencer Rattler averaged 11.0 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 4.8 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Spencer Rattler's bye weeks in 2026?

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Spencer Rattler (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Spencer Rattler a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Derek Carr outscored Spencer Rattler by 4.8 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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