Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

C.J. Stroud vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, C.J. Stroud and Sam Darnold are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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QBHouston Texans#23PPG LEADER

C.J. Stroud

PPG

14.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

C.J. Stroud

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

14.9 PPG13.8 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, C.J. Stroud is producing at 68% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means C.J. Stroud carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

C.J. Stroud vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. C.J. Stroud finished the 2025 season at 14.9 PPG over 14 games with the Houston Texans, while Sam Darnold clocked in at 13.8 across 17 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks. A 1.1-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. C.J. Stroud threw for 3041 yards and 19 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: C.J. Stroud is off Week 8 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: C.J. Stroud (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?

•C.J. Stroud outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to C.J. Stroud's 14. That durability gap means Sam Darnold contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Sam Darnold scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•C.J. Stroud is 4 years younger than Sam Darnold (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

C.J. Stroud vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	C.J. Stroud	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.9	13.8
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	209	235
Passing Yards	3,041	4,048
Passing TDs	19	25
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	238.1
Rushing Yards	209	95
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	20	25
TDs/Game	1.4	1.5
Age	24	28
Experience	2 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

14.9 PPG for C.J. Stroud versus 13.8 for Sam Darnold in 2025. The baseline favors C.J. Stroud, 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 C.J. Stroud or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 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 C.J. Stroud and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are C.J. Stroud and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is C.J. Stroud or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Sam Darnold by 1.1 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.