Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Penix Jr. vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Sam Darnold edges Michael Penix Jr. by 0.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Sam Darnold goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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QBAtlanta Falcons#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

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

Michael Penix Jr.

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

13.4 PPG13.8 PPG

9 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Michael Penix Jr. is producing at 61% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Michael Penix Jr. vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Michael Penix Jr. finished the 2025 season at 13.4 PPG over 9 games with the Atlanta Falcons, while Sam Darnold clocked in at 13.8 across 17 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks. A 0.4-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. Michael Penix Jr. threw for 1982 yards and 9 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 thing to note: both players share a Week 11 bye. That means you need a backup plan at quarterback for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) 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 Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. 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

Michael Penix Jr. vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Penix Jr.	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.4	13.8
Games Played	9	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	235
Passing Yards	1,982	4,048
Passing TDs	9	25
Pass Yds/Game	220.2	238.1
Rushing Yards	70	95
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	10	25
TDs/Game	1.1	1.5
Age	26	28
Experience	1 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

Sam Darnold outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 0.4 PPG in 2025 (13.8 to 13.4). 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Penix Jr. or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

Do Michael Penix Jr. and Sam Darnold share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Michael Penix Jr. 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 Michael Penix Jr. or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 0.4 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.