Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Sam Darnold vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

Sam Darnold is the better play on a neutral week. 13.8 PPG with 4,143 yards gives a reliable baseline. Shedeur Sanders at 10.6 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam Darnold higher, but do not fade Shedeur Sanders entirely.

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

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QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBCleveland Browns#40

Shedeur Sanders

PPG

10.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,400

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

169

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Sam Darnold

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

13.8 PPG10.6 PPG

17 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Sam Darnold is producing at 63% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Sam Darnold carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Sam Darnold vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Sam Darnold and Shedeur Sanders is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback put up 13.8 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns averaged 10.6 in 8. A 3.2-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.2 points favors Sam Darnold, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one quarterback to the other.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Sam Darnold threw for 4048 yards and 25 touchdowns, while Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 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

Sam Darnold is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Shedeur Sanders is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Shedeur Sanders (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Sam Darnold outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 54 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders's 8. 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.
•Shedeur Sanders is 4 years younger than Sam Darnold (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Sam Darnold vs Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Sam Darnold	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.8	10.6
Games Played	17	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	235	85
Passing Yards	4,048	1,400
Passing TDs	25	7
Pass Yds/Game	238.1	175.0
Rushing Yards	95	169
Rushing TDs	0	1
Total TDs	25	8
TDs/Game	1.5	1.0
Age	28	24
Experience	7 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

13.8 PPG for Sam Darnold versus 10.6 for Shedeur Sanders 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 Sam Darnold or Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 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 Sam Darnold and Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 3.2 points per game.

Do Sam Darnold and Shedeur Sanders share a bye week?▾

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

Is Sam Darnold or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Shedeur Sanders by 3.2 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.