Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jayden Daniels vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.3 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy play this season.

Jayden Daniels has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.5-PPG advantage is real (16.3 to 13.8), and Jayden Daniels's 10 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Jayden Daniels and Sam Darnold in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBWashington Commanders#17PPG LEADER

Jayden Daniels

PPG

16.3

Games

Pass Yds

1,262

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

278

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Jayden Daniels

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

16.3 PPG13.8 PPG

7 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jayden Daniels: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #17 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jayden Daniels is producing at 74% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Jayden Daniels carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jayden Daniels vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders) finished the 2025 season averaging 16.3 fantasy points per game in 7 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.

Jayden Daniels 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. Jayden Daniels threw for 1262 yards and 8 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: Jayden Daniels sits Week 7 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: Jayden Daniels (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising. Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Jayden Daniels outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jayden Daniels's 7. 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

Jayden Daniels vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jayden Daniels	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.3	13.8
Games Played	7	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	114	235
Passing Yards	1,262	4,048
Passing TDs	8	25
Pass Yds/Game	180.3	238.1
Rushing Yards	278	95
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total TDs	10	25
TDs/Game	1.4	1.5
Age	25	28
Experience	1 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jayden Daniels holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.3 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Jayden Daniels 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 Jayden Daniels 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 Jayden Daniels or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jayden Daniels has the edge at 16.3 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 Jayden Daniels and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 7 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are Jayden Daniels and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jayden Daniels or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels outscored Sam Darnold 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.