Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aidan O'Connell vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Aidan O'Connell's 12.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Sam Darnold and Aidan O'Connell are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.0-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Aidan O'Connell

PPG

12.8

Games

Pass Yds

2,650

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Aidan O'Connell

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

12.8 PPG13.8 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Aidan O'Connell: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aidan O'Connell is producing at 58% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Sam Darnold carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aidan O'Connell vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Aidan O'Connell finished the 2025 season at 12.8 PPG over 13 games with the Las Vegas Raiders, while Sam Darnold clocked in at 13.8 across 17 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks. A 1.0-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Aidan O'Connell threw for 2650 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Sam Darnold posted 4048 yards and 25 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Aidan O'Connell is off Week 10 and Sam Darnold Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Aidan O'Connell (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Sam Darnold outscored Aidan O'Connell by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Aidan O'Connell's 13. That durability gap means Sam Darnold contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Sam Darnold scored 25 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 Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aidan O'Connell	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	13.8
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	166	235
Passing Yards	2,650	4,048
Passing TDs	16	25
Pass Yds/Game	203.8	238.1
Rushing Yards	68	95
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	16	25
TDs/Game	1.2	1.5
Age	-	28
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam Darnold at 13.8 PPG, 1.0 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 Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 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.

How many fantasy points did Aidan O'Connell and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Aidan O'Connell averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Aidan O'Connell and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aidan O'Connell (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aidan O'Connell or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Aidan O'Connell by 1.0 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.