Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Tua TagovailoaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

Derek Carr has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.3-PPG advantage is real (15.8 to 11.5), and Derek Carr's 23 touchdowns show scoring upside. Tua Tagovailoa is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBMiami Dolphins#35

Tua Tagovailoa

PPG

11.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,660

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Tua Tagovailoa

Head to Head

15.8 PPG11.5 PPG

15 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Tua Tagovailoa: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Tua Tagovailoa at 52%. That ranking gap means Tua Tagovailoa carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Tua Tagovailoa: The Full Breakdown

Derek Carr and Tua Tagovailoa are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG across 15 games with the New Orleans Saints, while Tua Tagovailoa posted 11.5 PPG in 14 appearances for the Miami Dolphins.

A 4.3-PPG gap gives Derek Carr the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Tua Tagovailoa posted 2660 yards and 20 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 Tua Tagovailoa is off Week 6. 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

If you can acquire Derek Carr at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Tua Tagovailoa is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Tua Tagovailoa (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Derek Carr outscored Tua Tagovailoa by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Tua Tagovailoa'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 Tua Tagovailoa: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Tua Tagovailoa
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	11.5
Games Played	15	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	161
Passing Yards	3,428	2,660
Passing TDs	22	20
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	190.0
Rushing Yards	105	43
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	23	20
TDs/Game	1.5	1.4
Age	-	28
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 6

Summary

Derek Carr outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 4.3 PPG in 2025 (15.8 to 11.5). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derek Carr or Tua Tagovailoa in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Tua Tagovailoa's 11.5 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 Tua Tagovailoa average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa averaged 11.5 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Tua Tagovailoa's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Tua Tagovailoa a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Tua Tagovailoa by 4.3 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.