Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Sam Darnold vs Spencer RattlerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 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. Spencer Rattler at 11.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Sam Darnold higher, but do not fade Spencer Rattler entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Sam Darnold and Spencer Rattler in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBNew Orleans Saints#38

Spencer Rattler

PPG

11.0

Games

Pass Yds

1,586

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

167

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Sam Darnold

Spencer Rattler

Head to Head

13.8 PPG11.0 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Spencer Rattler: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Sam Darnold is producing at 63% of elite pace and Spencer Rattler at 50%. That ranking gap means Sam Darnold carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Sam Darnold vs Spencer Rattler: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Sam Darnold and Spencer Rattler is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback put up 13.8 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Spencer Rattler of the New Orleans Saints averaged 11.0 in 9. A 2.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.8 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 Spencer Rattler posted 1586 yards and 8 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Sam Darnold is off Week 11 and Spencer Rattler Week 8. 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: Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Spencer Rattler (age 25) 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 Spencer Rattler by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Spencer Rattler'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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Sam Darnold vs Spencer Rattler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Sam Darnold	Spencer Rattler
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.8	11.0
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	235	99
Passing Yards	4,048	1,586
Passing TDs	25	8
Pass Yds/Game	238.1	176.2
Rushing Yards	95	167
Rushing TDs	0	0
Total TDs	25	8
TDs/Game	1.5	0.9
Age	28	25
Experience	7 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 8

Summary

13.8 PPG for Sam Darnold versus 11.0 for Spencer Rattler 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Sam Darnold vs Spencer Rattler

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Sam Darnold vs Spencer Rattler

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Sam Darnold or Spencer Rattler in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Spencer Rattler's 11.0 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 Spencer Rattler average in 2025?▾

Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Spencer Rattler averaged 11.0 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.8 points per game.

When are Sam Darnold and Spencer Rattler's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11, and Spencer Rattler (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Sam Darnold or Spencer Rattler a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Spencer Rattler by 2.8 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.