Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jake Browning vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Jake Browning's 11.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

Sam Darnold has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.5-PPG advantage is real (13.8 to 11.3), and Sam Darnold's 25 touchdowns show scoring upside. Jake Browning 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Jake Browning and Sam Darnold in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBTampa Bay Buccaneers#99

Jake Browning

PPG

11.3

Games

Pass Yds

771

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Jake Browning

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

11.3 PPG13.8 PPG

5 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jake Browning: 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, Jake Browning is producing at 51% 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.

Jake Browning vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Jake Browning (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) finished the 2025 season averaging 11.3 fantasy points per game in 5 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.

Sam Darnold carries a 2.5-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. Jake Browning threw for 771 yards and 6 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 thing to note: both players share a Week 11 bye. That means you need a backup plan at quarterback for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Jake Browning (age 30) 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 Jake Browning by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jake Browning's 5. 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.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jake Browning vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jake Browning	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.3	13.8
Games Played	5	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	57	235
Passing Yards	771	4,048
Passing TDs	6	25
Pass Yds/Game	154.2	238.1
Rushing Yards	39	95
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	7	25
TDs/Game	1.4	1.5
Age	30	28
Experience	7 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Sam Darnold holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 13.8 points per game. Jake Browning averaged 11.3 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Jake Browning vs Sam Darnold

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Jake Browning vs Sam Darnold

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jake Browning or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Jake Browning's 11.3 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 Jake Browning and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Jake Browning averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

Do Jake Browning and Sam Darnold share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Jake Browning and Sam Darnold share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Jake Browning or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Jake Browning by 2.5 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.