Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Bo Nix vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Bo Nix is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.9 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Bo Nix is the better fantasy play this season.

Bo Nix is the better play on a neutral week. 17.9 PPG with 4,287 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 Bo Nix 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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QBDenver Broncos#11PPG LEADER

Bo Nix

PPG

17.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,931

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

356

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

Bo Nix

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

17.9 PPG13.8 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Bo Nix: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #11 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Bo Nix is producing at 81% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Bo Nix carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Bo Nix vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Bo Nix and Sam Darnold is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Denver Broncos quarterback put up 17.9 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks averaged 13.8 in 17. A 4.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.1 points favors Bo Nix, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Bo Nix threw for 3931 yards and 25 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Bo Nix sits Week 10 while Sam Darnold is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Bo Nix is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Sam Darnold is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Bo Nix (age 26) 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?

•Bo Nix outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 70 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Bo Nix scored 30 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Bo Nix added 356 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Bo Nix vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bo Nix	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.9	13.8
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	304	235
Passing Yards	3,931	4,048
Passing TDs	25	25
Pass Yds/Game	231.2	238.1
Rushing Yards	356	95
Rushing TDs	5	0
Total TDs	30	25
TDs/Game	1.8	1.5
Age	26	28
Experience	1 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

17.9 PPG for Bo Nix versus 13.8 for Sam Darnold in 2025. The baseline favors Bo Nix, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Bo Nix or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bo Nix has the edge at 17.9 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 Bo Nix and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Bo Nix averaged 17.9 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 4.1 points per game.

When are Bo Nix and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bo Nix (DEN) 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 Bo Nix or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Bo Nix outscored Sam Darnold by 4.1 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.