Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cam Ward vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Cam Ward's 11.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

Sam Darnold has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.8-PPG advantage is real (13.8 to 11.0), and Sam Darnold's 25 touchdowns show scoring upside. Cam Ward 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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QBTennessee Titans#39

Cam Ward

PPG

11.0

Games

Pass Yds

3,169

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

159

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Cam Ward

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

11.0 PPG13.8 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Cam Ward: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #39 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Cam Ward is producing at 50% 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.

Cam Ward vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Cam Ward and Sam Darnold are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Cam Ward averaged 11.0 PPG across 17 games with the Tennessee Titans, while Sam Darnold posted 13.8 PPG in 17 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks.

A 2.8-PPG gap gives Sam Darnold 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. Cam Ward threw for 3169 yards and 15 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.

One scheduling note: Cam Ward is off Week 9 and Sam Darnold Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Cam Ward (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 Cam Ward by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Cam Ward is 4 years younger than Sam Darnold (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cam Ward vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cam Ward	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	13.8
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	187	235
Passing Yards	3,169	4,048
Passing TDs	15	25
Pass Yds/Game	186.4	238.1
Rushing Yards	159	95
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total TDs	17	25
TDs/Game	1.0	1.5
Age	24	28
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 11

Summary

Sam Darnold outscored Cam Ward by 2.8 PPG in 2025 (13.8 to 11.0). 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 Cam Ward or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Cam Ward's 11.0 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 Cam Ward and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Cam Ward averaged 11.0 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 2.8 points per game.

When are Cam Ward and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cam Ward (TEN) has a bye in Week 9, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cam Ward or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Cam Ward by 2.8 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.