Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Lamar Jackson vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Lamar Jackson is the better fantasy play this season.

Lamar Jackson is the better play on a neutral week. 16.5 PPG with 2,898 yards gives a reliable baseline. Sam Darnold at 13.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Lamar Jackson higher, but do not fade Sam Darnold entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBBaltimore Ravens#16PPG LEADER

Lamar Jackson

PPG

16.5

Games

Pass Yds

2,549

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

349

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 13

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Lamar Jackson

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

16.5 PPG13.8 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Lamar Jackson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #16 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Lamar Jackson is producing at 75% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Lamar Jackson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Lamar Jackson vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Lamar Jackson and Sam Darnold for your lineup, you are not alone. Lamar Jackson finished the 2025 season at 16.5 PPG for the Baltimore Ravens (13 games), and Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 for the Seattle Seahawks (17 games).

That 2.7-point weekly advantage for Lamar Jackson is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Lamar Jackson threw for 2549 yards and 21 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: Lamar Jackson sits Week 13 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: Lamar Jackson (age 29) 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?

•Lamar Jackson outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Lamar Jackson's 13. 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.
•Lamar Jackson added 349 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Lamar Jackson vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Lamar Jackson	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.5	13.8
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	215	235
Passing Yards	2,549	4,048
Passing TDs	21	25
Pass Yds/Game	196.1	238.1
Rushing Yards	349	95
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total TDs	23	25
TDs/Game	1.8	1.5
Age	29	28
Experience	7 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Lamar Jackson at 16.5 PPG, 2.7 points per game above Sam Darnold's 13.8. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Lamar Jackson or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Lamar Jackson has the edge at 16.5 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 Lamar Jackson and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Lamar Jackson averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

When are Lamar Jackson and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Lamar Jackson (BAL) has a bye in Week 13, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Lamar Jackson or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Lamar Jackson outscored Sam Darnold by 2.7 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.