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Updated September 9, 2026 from live stats

Aidan O'Connell or Derek CarrWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Derek Carr over Aidan O'Connell in 2026.

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG in 2025 to Aidan O'Connell's 12.8, a 3.0 point per game edge. Both play quarterbacks, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better play on a neutral week. 15.8 PPG with 3,533 yards gives a reliable baseline. Aidan O'Connell at 12.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derek Carr higher, but do not fade Aidan O'Connell entirely.

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

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QBLas Vegas Raiders

Aidan O'Connell

PPG

12.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,650

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBNew Orleans SaintsPPG LEADER

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Aidan O'Connell

Derek Carr

Head to Head

12.8 PPG15.8 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Aidan O'Connell: Unranked QB. Derek Carr: Unranked QB. Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aidan O'Connell is producing at 58% of elite pace and Derek Carr at 72%. That per-game gap means Derek Carr carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aidan O'Connell vs Derek Carr: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Aidan O'Connell and Derek Carr for your lineup, you are not alone. Aidan O'Connell finished the 2025 season at 12.8 PPG for the Las Vegas Raiders (13 games), and Derek Carr averaged 15.8 for the New Orleans Saints (15 games).

That 3.0-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. Aidan O'Connell threw for 2650 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Derek Carr posted 3428 yards and 22 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Aidan O'Connell has his bye in Week 10, and Derek Carr rests in Week 12. 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. Aidan O'Connell is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Aidan O'Connell (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Derek Carr (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 Aidan O'Connell by a projected 51 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Aidan O'Connell's 13. 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

Aidan O'Connell vs Derek Carr: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aidan O'Connell	Derek Carr
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	15.8
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	166	237
Passing Yards	2,650	3,428
Passing TDs	16	22
Pass Yds/Game	203.8	228.5
Rushing Yards	68	105
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	16	23
TDs/Game	1.2	1.5
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derek Carr at 15.8 PPG, 3.0 points per game above Aidan O'Connell's 12.8. 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 Aidan O'Connell or Derek Carr in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Aidan O'Connell's 12.8 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.

Should I draft Aidan O'Connell or Derek Carr in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Derek Carr is the earlier pick. He averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Aidan O'Connell's 12.8, a 3.0 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Aidan O'Connell and Derek Carr average in 2025?▾

Aidan O'Connell averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.0 points per game.

When are Aidan O'Connell and Derek Carr's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aidan O'Connell (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aidan O'Connell or Derek Carr a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Aidan O'Connell by 3.0 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.