Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deshaun Watson vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

Sam Darnold is the better play on a neutral week. 13.8 PPG with 4,143 yards gives a reliable baseline. Deshaun Watson at 12.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam Darnold higher, but do not fade Deshaun Watson entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBCleveland Browns#99

Deshaun Watson

PPG

12.2

Games

Pass Yds

2,105

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

185

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Deshaun Watson

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

12.2 PPG13.8 PPG

11 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Deshaun Watson: 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, Deshaun Watson is producing at 55% 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.

Deshaun Watson vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Deshaun Watson and Sam Darnold for your lineup, you are not alone. Deshaun Watson finished the 2025 season at 12.2 PPG for the Cleveland Browns (11 games), and Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 for the Seattle Seahawks (17 games).

That 1.6-point weekly advantage for Sam Darnold is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Deshaun Watson threw for 2105 yards and 12 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.

One scheduling note: Deshaun Watson is off Week 10 and Sam Darnold Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Deshaun Watson (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?

•Sam Darnold outscored Deshaun Watson by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Deshaun Watson's 11. 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

Deshaun Watson vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deshaun Watson	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.2	13.8
Games Played	11	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	134	235
Passing Yards	2,105	4,048
Passing TDs	12	25
Pass Yds/Game	191.4	238.1
Rushing Yards	185	95
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total TDs	14	25
TDs/Game	1.3	1.5
Age	-	28
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam Darnold at 13.8 PPG, 1.6 points per game above Deshaun Watson's 12.2. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Deshaun Watson or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Deshaun Watson's 12.2 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 Deshaun Watson and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Deshaun Watson averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Deshaun Watson and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deshaun Watson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deshaun Watson or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Deshaun Watson by 1.6 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.