Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Andy Dalton vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Andy Dalton's 9.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

Sam Darnold is the better play on a neutral week. 13.8 PPG with 4,143 yards gives a reliable baseline. Andy Dalton at 9.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam Darnold higher, but do not fade Andy Dalton entirely.

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

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QBCarolina Panthers#99

Andy Dalton

PPG

9.8

Games

Pass Yds

1,925

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Andy Dalton

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

9.8 PPG13.8 PPG

10 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Andy Dalton: 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, Andy Dalton is producing at 45% 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.

Andy Dalton vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Andy Dalton and Sam Darnold for your lineup, you are not alone. Andy Dalton finished the 2025 season at 9.8 PPG for the Carolina Panthers (10 games), and Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 for the Seattle Seahawks (17 games).

That 4.0-point weekly advantage for Sam Darnold is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Andy Dalton threw for 1925 yards and 10 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.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking quarterbacks this deep on your bench, plan your replacement quarterback early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Sam Darnold is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Andy Dalton is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Andy Dalton (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 Andy Dalton by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Andy Dalton's 10. 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.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Andy Dalton vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Andy Dalton	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.8	13.8
Games Played	10	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	235
Passing Yards	1,925	4,048
Passing TDs	10	25
Pass Yds/Game	192.5	238.1
Rushing Yards	42	95
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	10	25
TDs/Game	1.0	1.5
Age	-	28
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam Darnold at 13.8 PPG, 4.0 points per game above Andy Dalton's 9.8. 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 Andy Dalton or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Andy Dalton's 9.8 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 Andy Dalton and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Andy Dalton averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.0 points per game.

Do Andy Dalton and Sam Darnold share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Andy Dalton and Sam Darnold share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Andy Dalton or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Andy Dalton by 4.0 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.