Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Malik Willis vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Malik Willis's 12.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Sam Darnold and Malik Willis are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.0-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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QBGreen Bay Packers#30

Malik Willis

PPG

12.8

Games

Pass Yds

422

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

123

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Malik Willis

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

12.8 PPG13.8 PPG

4 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Malik Willis: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #30 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Malik Willis is producing at 58% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Malik Willis vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Malik Willis and Sam Darnold is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.0 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Malik Willis averaged 12.8 PPG with the Green Bay Packers across 4 games, and Sam Darnold posted 13.8 with the Seattle Seahawks in 17.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Malik Willis threw for 422 yards and 3 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.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking quarterbacks this deep on your bench, plan your replacement quarterback early.

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: Malik Willis (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 Malik Willis by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Malik Willis's 4. 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.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Malik Willis vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Malik Willis	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	13.8
Games Played	4	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	51	235
Passing Yards	422	4,048
Passing TDs	3	25
Pass Yds/Game	105.5	238.1
Rushing Yards	123	95
Rushing TDs	2	0
Total TDs	5	25
TDs/Game	1.3	1.5
Age	27	28
Experience	3 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Sam Darnold at 13.8 PPG, 1.0 points per game above Malik Willis's 12.8. 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 Malik Willis or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Malik Willis's 12.8 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 Malik Willis and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Malik Willis averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 4 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

Do Malik Willis and Sam Darnold share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Malik Willis and Sam Darnold share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Malik Willis or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Malik Willis by 1.0 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.