Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

Derek Carr has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.0-PPG advantage is real (15.8 to 13.8), and Derek Carr's 23 touchdowns show scoring upside. Sam Darnold is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBNew Orleans Saints#99PPG LEADER

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

15.8 PPG13.8 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Sam Darnold carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints) finished the 2025 season averaging 15.8 fantasy points per game in 15 games. Sam Darnold (Seattle Seahawks) came in at 13.8 PPG over 17 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Derek Carr carries a 2.0-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 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: Derek Carr sits Week 12 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

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: Derek Carr (age 27) 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?

•Derek Carr outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 34 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Derek Carr's 15. 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

Derek Carr vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	13.8
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	235
Passing Yards	3,428	4,048
Passing TDs	22	25
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	238.1
Rushing Yards	105	95
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	23	25
TDs/Game	1.5	1.5
Age	-	28
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Derek Carr holds the PPG edge with solid output at 15.8 points per game. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derek Carr or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 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 Derek Carr and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.0 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Sam Darnold by 2.0 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.