Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jameis Winston vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Jameis Winston's 10.9 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 2.9-PPG advantage is real (13.8 to 10.9), and Sam Darnold's 25 touchdowns show scoring upside. Jameis Winston 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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QBCleveland Browns#99

Jameis Winston

PPG

10.9

Games

Pass Yds

2,125

Pass TDs

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

Jameis Winston

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

10.9 PPG13.8 PPG

10 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jameis Winston: 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, Jameis Winston is producing at 50% 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.

Jameis Winston vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Jameis Winston and Sam Darnold are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Jameis Winston averaged 10.9 PPG across 10 games with the Cleveland Browns, while Sam Darnold posted 13.8 PPG in 17 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks.

A 2.9-PPG gap gives Sam Darnold the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Jameis Winston threw for 2125 yards and 13 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: Jameis Winston sits Week 10 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: Jameis Winston (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 Jameis Winston by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jameis Winston's 10. 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

Jameis Winston vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jameis Winston	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.9	13.8
Games Played	10	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	109	235
Passing Yards	2,125	4,048
Passing TDs	13	25
Pass Yds/Game	212.5	238.1
Rushing Yards	45	95
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	14	25
TDs/Game	1.4	1.5
Age	-	28
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

Sam Darnold outscored Jameis Winston by 2.9 PPG in 2025 (13.8 to 10.9). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jameis Winston or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Jameis Winston's 10.9 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 Jameis Winston and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Jameis Winston averaged 10.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.9 points per game.

When are Jameis Winston and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jameis Winston (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 Jameis Winston or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Jameis Winston by 2.9 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.