Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Daniel Jones vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 17.4 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Daniel Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Daniel Jones is the better play on a neutral week. 17.4 PPG with 3,265 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 Daniel Jones 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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QBIndianapolis Colts#13PPG LEADER

Daniel Jones

PPG

17.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,101

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

164

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Daniel Jones

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

17.4 PPG13.8 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Daniel Jones: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #13 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Daniel Jones is producing at 79% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Daniel Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Daniel Jones vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback put up 17.4 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks averaged 13.8 in 17. A 3.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.6 points favors Daniel Jones, 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. Daniel Jones threw for 3101 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Daniel Jones sits Week 13 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

Daniel Jones 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: Daniel Jones (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Daniel Jones outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 61 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Daniel Jones's 13. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Daniel Jones vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Daniel Jones	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	17.4	13.8
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	226	235
Passing Yards	3,101	4,048
Passing TDs	19	25
Pass Yds/Game	238.5	238.1
Rushing Yards	164	95
Rushing TDs	5	0
Total TDs	24	25
TDs/Game	1.8	1.5
Age	29	28
Experience	6 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 11

Summary

17.4 PPG for Daniel Jones versus 13.8 for Sam Darnold in 2025. The baseline favors Daniel Jones, 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 Daniel Jones or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Daniel Jones has the edge at 17.4 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 Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Daniel Jones averaged 17.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.6 points per game.

When are Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Daniel Jones or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Daniel Jones outscored Sam Darnold by 3.6 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.