Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Marcus Mariota vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Sam Darnold and Marcus Mariota are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.2-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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QBWashington Commanders#31

Marcus Mariota

PPG

12.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,695

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

297

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Marcus Mariota

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

12.6 PPG13.8 PPG

10 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Marcus Mariota: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #31 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Marcus Mariota is producing at 57% 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.

Marcus Mariota vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Marcus Mariota finished the 2025 season at 12.6 PPG over 10 games with the Washington Commanders, while Sam Darnold clocked in at 13.8 across 17 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks. A 1.2-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Marcus Mariota threw for 1695 yards and 10 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.

One scheduling note: Marcus Mariota is off Week 7 and Sam Darnold Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Marcus Mariota (age 32) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. 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 Marcus Mariota by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Marcus Mariota's 10. 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.
•Sam Darnold is 4 years younger than Marcus Mariota (28 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Marcus Mariota vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Marcus Mariota	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.6	13.8
Games Played	10	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	235
Passing Yards	1,695	4,048
Passing TDs	10	25
Pass Yds/Game	169.5	238.1
Rushing Yards	297	95
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	11	25
TDs/Game	1.1	1.5
Age	32	28
Experience	10 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

13.8 PPG for Sam Darnold versus 12.6 for Marcus Mariota in 2025. The baseline favors Sam Darnold, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Marcus Mariota or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Marcus Mariota's 12.6 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 Marcus Mariota and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Marcus Mariota averaged 12.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Marcus Mariota and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Marcus Mariota (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 Marcus Mariota or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Marcus Mariota by 1.2 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.