Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kyler Murray vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.6 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyler Murray is the better fantasy play this season.

Kyler Murray has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.8-PPG advantage is real (15.6 to 13.8), and Kyler Murray's 7 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 Kyler Murray and Sam Darnold in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBArizona Cardinals#22PPG LEADER

Kyler Murray

PPG

15.6

Games

Pass Yds

962

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

173

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 14

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Kyler Murray

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

15.6 PPG13.8 PPG

5 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Kyler Murray: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #22 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Kyler Murray is producing at 71% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Kyler Murray carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kyler Murray vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Kyler Murray and Sam Darnold are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 PPG across 5 games with the Arizona Cardinals, while Sam Darnold posted 13.8 PPG in 17 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks.

A 1.8-PPG gap gives Kyler Murray 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. Kyler Murray threw for 962 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.

Kyler Murray 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: Kyler Murray (age 28) 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?

•Kyler Murray outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Kyler Murray'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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kyler Murray vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kyler Murray	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.6	13.8
Games Played	5	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	78	235
Passing Yards	962	4,048
Passing TDs	6	25
Pass Yds/Game	192.4	238.1
Rushing Yards	173	95
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	7	25
TDs/Game	1.4	1.5
Age	28	28
Experience	6 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

Kyler Murray outscored Sam Darnold by 1.8 PPG in 2025 (15.6 to 13.8). 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Kyler Murray 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 Kyler Murray 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 Kyler Murray or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyler Murray has the edge at 15.6 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 Kyler Murray and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Kyler Murray averaged 15.6 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 1.8 points per game.

When are Kyler Murray and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kyler Murray (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 Kyler Murray or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Kyler Murray outscored Sam Darnold by 1.8 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.