Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Caleb Williams vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Caleb Williams is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 18.7 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Caleb Williams is the better fantasy play this season.

Caleb Williams has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.9-PPG advantage is real (18.7 to 13.8), and Caleb Williams's 31 touchdowns show scoring upside. Sam Darnold is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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QBChicago Bears#8PPG LEADER

Caleb Williams

PPG

18.7

Games

Pass Yds

3,942

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

383

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

Caleb Williams

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

18.7 PPG13.8 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Caleb Williams: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #8 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Caleb Williams is producing at 85% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Caleb Williams carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Caleb Williams vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Caleb Williams and Sam Darnold are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Caleb Williams averaged 18.7 PPG across 17 games with the Chicago Bears, while Sam Darnold posted 13.8 PPG in 17 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks.

A 4.9-PPG gap gives Caleb Williams the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Caleb Williams threw for 3942 yards and 27 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: Caleb Williams 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

If you can acquire Caleb Williams at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Sam Darnold is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Caleb Williams (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?

•Caleb Williams outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 83 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Caleb Williams scored 31 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Caleb Williams added 383 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.
•Caleb Williams is 4 years younger than Sam Darnold (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Caleb Williams vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Caleb Williams	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	18.7	13.8
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	318	235
Passing Yards	3,942	4,048
Passing TDs	27	25
Pass Yds/Game	231.9	238.1
Rushing Yards	383	95
Rushing TDs	3	0
Total TDs	31	25
TDs/Game	1.8	1.5
Age	24	28
Experience	1 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

Caleb Williams outscored Sam Darnold by 4.9 PPG in 2025 (18.7 to 13.8). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Caleb Williams or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Caleb Williams has the edge at 18.7 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 Caleb Williams and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Caleb Williams averaged 18.7 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 4.9 points per game.

When are Caleb Williams and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Caleb Williams (CHI) 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 Caleb Williams or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Caleb Williams outscored Sam Darnold by 4.9 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.