Who Should I Start? Brock Purdy or C.J. Stroud
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24.3 | 18.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Brock Purdy News
Saturday, August 1, 8:47 AM
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy appears to have already lost wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) for the entire 2026 season, but the good news is he has shown some early chemistry in training camp with new wideout Mike Evans, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Purdy and Evans connected on the play of the day in practice on Friday. With the 6-foot-5 Evans matched up against nickelback Upton Stout near the goal line, Purdy threw high for Evans, who made a leaping six-yard touchdown catch. The 26-year-old Purdy played in just nine regular-season games last year due to a turf-toe injury, throwing for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 284 pass attempts. It was obviously a disappointing showing for fantasy managers, but even with Pearsall likely done for the year in 2026, Purdy has obvious bounce-back potential in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense while being able to throw it up to a future Hall of Famer in Evans. The Niners are reuniting with veteran Deebo Samuel Sr., too, and Purdy still has All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey to dump the ball off to when all else fails. A lack of rushing prowess limits Purdy's overall fantasy upside, but he's not a bad low-end QB1/high-end QB2 target for a bounce-back if he stays healthy in his fifth year in the NFL.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20.9 | 14.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
C.J. Stroud News
Wednesday, July 29, 4:31 PM
The Houston Texans' belief in quarterback C.J. Stroud as their franchise signal-caller remains strong, but the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the two sides are not close on a contract extension. Stroud had his fifth-year option picked up by Houston in April, and he has two years remaining on his rookie contract. Both sides seem comfortable kicking the can down the road as far as a contract extension, and Rapoport adds that the fact that extension talks are even happening backs up the Texans' position that Stroud is their unquestioned long-term plan at QB. The Texans probably are in no rush to lock up the 24-year-old former second overall pick in 2023 from Ohio State after he regressed in 2025 in his third year in the league, especially in the team's playoff loss to the New England Patriots. All reports are that Stroud is locked in and has made great strides towards a bounce-back in his fourth NFL season, but ultimately, his success in 2026 could come down to whether the offensive line can protect him. Stroud threw for 4,000-plus yards, 23 touchdowns, and only five picks in 15 regular-season starts as a rookie, so he has it in him. In two-QB superflex leagues, his lowered cost is enticing if you're betting on a bounce-back. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 23 fantasy QB, right behind Sam Darnold.
Brock Purdy vs. C.J. Stroud
Still trying to decide between Purdy and Stroud? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Brock Purdy is projected to score 24.3 points this week while C.J. Stroud is projected to score 20.9 points.
Latest Fantasy News
