Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Will LevisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Will Levis's 13.2 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 2.6-PPG advantage is real (15.8 to 13.2), and Derek Carr's 23 touchdowns show scoring upside. Will Levis 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

QBTennessee Titans#99

Will Levis

PPG

13.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,780

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

245

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Will Levis

Head to Head

15.8 PPG13.2 PPG

15 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Will Levis: 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 Will Levis at 60%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Derek Carr vs Will Levis: The Full Breakdown

Derek Carr and Will Levis 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 Will Levis posted 13.2 PPG in 14 appearances for the Tennessee Titans.

A 2.6-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 Will Levis posted 2780 yards and 17 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 Will Levis is off Week 5. 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. Will Levis (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 Will Levis by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Will Levis'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 Will Levis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Will Levis
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	13.2
Games Played	15	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	185
Passing Yards	3,428	2,780
Passing TDs	22	17
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	198.6
Rushing Yards	105	245
Rushing TDs	1	3
Total TDs	23	20
TDs/Game	1.5	1.4
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 5

Summary

Derek Carr outscored Will Levis by 2.6 PPG in 2025 (15.8 to 13.2). 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 Will Levis in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Will Levis's 13.2 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 Will Levis average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Will Levis averaged 13.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.6 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Will Levis's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Will Levis (TEN) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Will Levis a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Will Levis by 2.6 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.