Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Anthony Richardson vs Derek Carr

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Anthony Richardson is the better fantasy play this season.

Anthony Richardson is the better play on a neutral week. 19.5 PPG with 3,298 yards gives a reliable baseline. Derek Carr at 15.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Anthony Richardson higher, but do not fade Derek Carr entirely.

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

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QBIndianapolis Colts#99PPG LEADER

Anthony Richardson

PPG

19.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,718

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

580

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

QBNew Orleans Saints#99

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Anthony Richardson

Derek Carr

Head to Head

19.5 PPG15.8 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Anthony Richardson: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Anthony Richardson is producing at 89% of elite pace and Derek Carr at 72%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Anthony Richardson vs Derek Carr: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between Anthony Richardson and Derek Carr is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback put up 19.5 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Derek Carr of the New Orleans Saints averaged 15.8 in 15. A 3.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.7 points favors Anthony Richardson, 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.

Anthony Richardson offers meaningful rushing upside with 580 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Derek Carr (3428 passing yards, 22 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Anthony Richardson sits Week 14 while Derek Carr is off Week 12. 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

Anthony Richardson is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Derek Carr is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Anthony Richardson (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?

•Anthony Richardson outscored Derek Carr by a projected 63 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Anthony Richardson's 13. That durability gap means Derek Carr contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Anthony Richardson scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Anthony Richardson added 580 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatRichardsonCarr

PPG (Half-PPR)19.515.8

Games Played1315

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)254237

Passing Yards2,7183,428

Passing TDs1822

Pass Yds/Game209.1228.5

Rushing Yards580105

Rushing TDs71

Total TDs2523

TDs/Game1.91.5

Bye WeekWeek 14Week 12

Summary

19.5 PPG for Anthony Richardson versus 15.8 for Derek Carr in 2025. The baseline favors Anthony Richardson, 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 Anthony Richardson or Derek Carr in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Anthony Richardson has the edge at 19.5 PPG compared to Derek Carr's 15.8 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.

How many fantasy points did Anthony Richardson and Derek Carr average in 2025?▾

Anthony Richardson averaged 19.5 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 3.7 points per game.

When are Anthony Richardson and Derek Carr's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Anthony Richardson (IND) has a bye in Week 14, and Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Anthony Richardson or Derek Carr a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Anthony Richardson outscored Derek Carr by 3.7 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.