Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Sam Darnold vs Trevor LawrenceWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Trevor Lawrence is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 19.9 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Trevor Lawrence is the better fantasy play this season.

Trevor Lawrence is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 19.9 PPG and 4,366 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Sam Darnold (13.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Trevor Lawrence as the starter and Sam Darnold as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBJacksonville Jaguars#5PPG LEADER

Trevor Lawrence

PPG

19.9

Games

Pass Yds

4,007

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

359

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Sam Darnold

Trevor Lawrence

Head to Head

13.8 PPG19.9 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Trevor Lawrence: Tier 1 (Elite) QB (ranked #5 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Sam Darnold is producing at 63% of elite pace and Trevor Lawrence at 90%. That ranking gap means Trevor Lawrence carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Sam Darnold vs Trevor Lawrence: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two quarterbacks. Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars) averaged 19.9 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Sam Darnold (Seattle Seahawks, 13.8 PPG) by 6.1 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

A 6.1-PPG gap gives Trevor Lawrence the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Sam Darnold threw for 4048 yards and 25 touchdowns, while Trevor Lawrence posted 4007 yards and 29 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 Trevor Lawrence Week 7. 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

If you can acquire Trevor Lawrence at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Sam Darnold is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Trevor Lawrence (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Trevor Lawrence outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 104 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Trevor Lawrence scored 38 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Trevor Lawrence added 359 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Sam Darnold vs Trevor Lawrence: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Sam Darnold	Trevor Lawrence
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.8	19.9
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	235	338
Passing Yards	4,048	4,007
Passing TDs	25	29
Pass Yds/Game	238.1	235.7
Rushing Yards	95	359
Rushing TDs	0	9
Total TDs	25	38
TDs/Game	1.5	2.2
Age	28	26
Experience	7 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 7

Summary

Trevor Lawrence outscored Sam Darnold by 6.1 PPG in 2025 (19.9 to 13.8). 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 Sam Darnold or Trevor Lawrence in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Trevor Lawrence has the edge at 19.9 PPG compared to Sam Darnold's 13.8 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 Trevor Lawrence average in 2025?▾

Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Trevor Lawrence averaged 19.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 6.1 points per game.

When are Sam Darnold and Trevor Lawrence's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11, and Trevor Lawrence (JAX) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Sam Darnold or Trevor Lawrence a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Trevor Lawrence outscored Sam Darnold by 6.1 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.