Davis Mills vs Sam Darnold: Who Should You Start?
Deciding between Davis Mills and Sam Darnold is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Houston Texans quarterback put up 11.6 PPG in 2025 over 6 games; Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks averaged 14.7 in 17. A 3.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.
The per-game difference of 3.1 points favors Sam Darnold, 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. Davis Mills threw for 915 yards and 5 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: Davis Mills 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.
