Daniel Jones vs Sam Darnold: Who Should You Start?
Deciding between Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback put up 18.0 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks averaged 14.7 in 17. A 3.3-point margin that could shift on any given week.
The per-game difference of 3.3 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 14 while Sam Darnold is off Week 10. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
