Brock Purdy vs Derek Carr: Who Should You Start?
Brock Purdy and Derek Carr are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Brock Purdy averaged 19.7 PPG across 9 games with the San Francisco 49ers, while Derek Carr posted 15.8 PPG in 15 appearances for the New Orleans Saints.
A 3.9-PPG gap gives Brock Purdy 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. Brock Purdy threw for 2167 yards and 20 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.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Brock Purdy 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.
