Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Bryce Young vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Bryce Young's 13.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Sam Darnold edges Bryce Young by 0.2 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Sam Darnold goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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QBCarolina Panthers#28

Bryce Young

PPG

13.6

Games

Pass Yds

3,011

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

216

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 5

QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Bryce Young

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

13.6 PPG13.8 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Bryce Young: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #28 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Bryce Young is producing at 62% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Bryce Young vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Bryce Young (13.6 PPG) and Sam Darnold (13.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Bryce Young played 16 games for the Carolina Panthers; Sam Darnold suited up 17 times for the Seattle Seahawks.

A 0.2-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Bryce Young threw for 3011 yards and 23 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: Bryce Young sits Week 5 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

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: Bryce Young (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. 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 Bryce Young by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Bryce Young's 16. That durability gap means Sam Darnold contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Bryce Young scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Bryce Young is 4 years younger than Sam Darnold (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Bryce Young vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bryce Young	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.6	13.8
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	218	235
Passing Yards	3,011	4,048
Passing TDs	23	25
Pass Yds/Game	188.2	238.1
Rushing Yards	216	95
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total TDs	25	25
TDs/Game	1.6	1.5
Age	24	28
Experience	2 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Sam Darnold holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 13.8 points per game. Bryce Young averaged 13.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Bryce Young or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Bryce Young's 13.6 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 Bryce Young and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Bryce Young averaged 13.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Bryce Young and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bryce Young (CAR) has a bye in Week 5, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Bryce Young or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Bryce Young by 0.2 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.