Sam Darnold vs Spencer Rattler: Who Should You Start?
Deciding between Sam Darnold and Spencer Rattler is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback put up 14.7 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Spencer Rattler of the New Orleans Saints averaged 11.5 in 9. 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 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 10 and Spencer Rattler Week 12. 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.
