Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dak Prescott vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dak Prescott is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 18.5 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dak Prescott is the better fantasy play this season.

Dak Prescott is the better play on a neutral week. 18.5 PPG with 4,729 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 Dak Prescott 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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QBDallas Cowboys#9PPG LEADER

Dak Prescott

PPG

18.5

Games

Pass Yds

4,552

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

177

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Dak Prescott

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

18.5 PPG13.8 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Dak Prescott: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #9 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Dak Prescott is producing at 84% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Dak Prescott carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dak Prescott vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Dak Prescott and Sam Darnold is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback put up 18.5 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks averaged 13.8 in 17. A 4.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.7 points favors Dak Prescott, 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. Dak Prescott threw for 4552 yards and 30 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: Dak Prescott sits Week 14 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

Dak Prescott 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: Dak Prescott (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Dak Prescott outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 80 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dak Prescott scored 32 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Sam Darnold is 4 years younger than Dak Prescott (28 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dak Prescott vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dak Prescott	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	18.5	13.8
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	315	235
Passing Yards	4,552	4,048
Passing TDs	30	25
Pass Yds/Game	267.8	238.1
Rushing Yards	177	95
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total TDs	32	25
TDs/Game	1.9	1.5
Age	32	28
Experience	9 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

18.5 PPG for Dak Prescott versus 13.8 for Sam Darnold in 2025. The baseline favors Dak Prescott, 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 Dak Prescott or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dak Prescott has the edge at 18.5 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 Dak Prescott and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Dak Prescott averaged 18.5 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 4.7 points per game.

When are Dak Prescott and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dak Prescott (DAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dak Prescott or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Dak Prescott outscored Sam Darnold by 4.7 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.