Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kirk Cousins vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.4 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kirk Cousins is the better fantasy play this season.

Kirk Cousins has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.6-PPG advantage is real (15.4 to 13.8), and Kirk Cousins's 23 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.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBAtlanta Falcons#99PPG LEADER

Kirk Cousins

PPG

15.4

Games

Pass Yds

3,588

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Kirk Cousins

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

15.4 PPG13.8 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Kirk Cousins: 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, Kirk Cousins is producing at 70% 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.

Kirk Cousins vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Kirk Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) finished the 2025 season averaging 15.4 fantasy points per game in 16 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.

Kirk Cousins carries a 1.6-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. Kirk Cousins threw for 3588 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.

Kirk Cousins has his bye in Week 12, 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: Kirk Cousins (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?

•Kirk Cousins outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Kirk Cousins's 16. 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

Kirk Cousins vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kirk Cousins	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.4	13.8
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	246	235
Passing Yards	3,588	4,048
Passing TDs	23	25
Pass Yds/Game	224.3	238.1
Rushing Yards	78	95
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	23	25
TDs/Game	1.4	1.5
Age	-	28
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Kirk Cousins holds the PPG edge with solid output at 15.4 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 Kirk Cousins 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 Kirk Cousins 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 Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kirk Cousins has the edge at 15.4 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 Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Kirk Cousins averaged 15.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins (ATL) has a bye in Week 12, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kirk Cousins outscored Sam Darnold 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.