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Head to Head

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Jacoby Brissett vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jacoby Brissett is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.2 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jacoby Brissett is the better fantasy play this season.

Jacoby Brissett is the better play on a neutral week. 16.2 PPG with 3,534 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 Jacoby Brissett 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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QBArizona Cardinals#18PPG LEADER
Jacoby Brissett
PPG
16.2
Games
14
Pass Yds
3,366
Pass TDs
23
Rush Yds
168
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 14
QBSeattle Seahawks#27
Sam Darnold
PPG
13.8
Games
17
Pass Yds
4,048
Pass TDs
25
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jacoby Brissett
Sam Darnold

Head to Head

16.2 PPG13.8 PPG
14 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jacoby Brissett: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #18 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jacoby Brissett is producing at 74% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Jacoby Brissett carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jacoby Brissett vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jacoby Brissett and Sam Darnold for your lineup, you are not alone. Jacoby Brissett finished the 2025 season at 16.2 PPG for the Arizona Cardinals (14 games), and Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 for the Seattle Seahawks (17 games).

That 2.4-point weekly advantage for Jacoby Brissett 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. Jacoby Brissett threw for 3366 yards and 23 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.

Jacoby Brissett has his bye in Week 14, and Sam Darnold rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Jacoby Brissett (age 33) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Jacoby Brissett outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 41 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jacoby Brissett's 14. 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.
  • Sam Darnold is 5 years younger than Jacoby Brissett (28 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jacoby Brissett vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJacoby BrissettSam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)16.213.8
Games Played1417
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)227235
Passing Yards3,3664,048
Passing TDs2325
Pass Yds/Game240.4238.1
Rushing Yards16895
Rushing TDs10
Total TDs2425
TDs/Game1.71.5
Age3328
Experience9 yrs7 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jacoby Brissett at 16.2 PPG, 2.4 points per game above Sam Darnold's 13.8. 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 Jacoby Brissett or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jacoby Brissett has the edge at 16.2 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 Jacoby Brissett and Sam Darnold average in 2025?

Jacoby Brissett averaged 16.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.4 points per game.

When are Jacoby Brissett and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?

Jacoby Brissett (ARI) has a bye in Week 14, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jacoby Brissett or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Jacoby Brissett outscored Sam Darnold by 2.4 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.