C.J. Stroud · Fernando Mendoza · 2026 week 9

C.J. Stroud or Fernando Mendoza?

Wondering who you should start this week — C.J. Stroud or Fernando Mendoza? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start C.J. StroudC.J. Stroud projects ahead of Fernando Mendoza in week 9, drawing LAC — the 26th-ranked matchup for QBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 9	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
C.J. Stroud START	@ LAC	16.9	26th · tough	20.5	849	healthy
Fernando Mendoza	–	–	–	2.2	7	healthy

QBs vs LAC recently: Bo Nix 7.9 pts (W5) · Patrick Mahomes 11.5 pts (W6) · Matthew Stafford 9.3 pts (W8).

🎓 The coach's read

At least one of these players has no projection on file — no comparison made.
C.J. Stroud faces LAC, 26th most generous to QBs.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

C.J. Stroud carries the higher trade value — 849 against 7 (a 99% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving C.J. Stroud gets the most. Momentum: C.J. Stroud +473 and Fernando Mendoza +7 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More QB decisions

C.J. Stroud or Dak Prescott?C.J. Stroud or Jayden Daniels?C.J. Stroud or Jared Goff?Fernando Mendoza or Daniel Jones?Fernando Mendoza or Deshaun Watson?Fernando Mendoza or Shedeur Sanders?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.