Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy play this season.

Baker Mayfield is the better play on a neutral week. 16.0 PPG with 4,075 yards gives a reliable baseline. Sam Darnold at 13.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Baker Mayfield higher, but do not fade Sam Darnold entirely.

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

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QBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19PPG LEADER

Baker Mayfield

PPG

16.0

Games

Pass Yds

3,693

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

16.0 PPG13.8 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold for your lineup, you are not alone. Baker Mayfield finished the 2025 season at 16.0 PPG for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (17 games), and Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 for the Seattle Seahawks (17 games).

That 2.2-point weekly advantage for Baker Mayfield 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. Baker Mayfield threw for 3693 yards and 26 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.

Baker Mayfield has his bye in Week 10, and Sam Darnold rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Baker Mayfield (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Baker Mayfield outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield scored 27 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Baker Mayfield added 382 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Baker Mayfield vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	13.8
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	235
Passing Yards	3,693	4,048
Passing TDs	26	25
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	238.1
Rushing Yards	382	95
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	27	25
TDs/Game	1.6	1.5
Age	31	28
Experience	7 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Baker Mayfield at 16.0 PPG, 2.2 points per game above Sam Darnold's 13.8. 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 Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Sam Darnold's 13.8 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 Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield (TB) 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 Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield outscored Sam Darnold by 2.2 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.