Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Tyler ShoughWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Tyler Shough's 14.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Derek Carr and Tyler Shough are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.4-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

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBNew Orleans Saints#24

Tyler Shough

PPG

14.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,384

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

186

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Tyler Shough

Head to Head

15.8 PPG14.4 PPG

15 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Tyler Shough: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Tyler Shough at 65%. That ranking gap means Tyler Shough carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Tyler Shough: The Full Breakdown

Derek Carr (15.8 PPG) and Tyler Shough (14.4 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Derek Carr played 15 games for the New Orleans Saints; Tyler Shough suited up 11 times for the New Orleans Saints.

A 1.4-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Tyler Shough posted 2384 yards and 10 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 Tyler Shough is off Week 8. 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

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. Tyler Shough (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Derek Carr outscored Tyler Shough by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Shough's 11. 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 Tyler Shough: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Tyler Shough
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	14.4
Games Played	15	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	158
Passing Yards	3,428	2,384
Passing TDs	22	10
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	216.7
Rushing Yards	105	186
Rushing TDs	1	3
Total TDs	23	13
TDs/Game	1.5	1.2
Age	-	26
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derek Carr at 15.8 PPG, 1.4 points per game above Tyler Shough's 14.4. 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 Tyler Shough in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Tyler Shough's 14.4 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 Tyler Shough average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Tyler Shough's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Derek Carr or Tyler Shough a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Tyler Shough by 1.4 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.