Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Sam Darnold vs Tyler ShoughWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Shough is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.4 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Shough is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Tyler Shough and Sam Darnold are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

QBNew Orleans Saints#24PPG LEADER

Tyler Shough

PPG

14.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,384

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

186

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Sam Darnold

Tyler Shough

Head to Head

13.8 PPG14.4 PPG

17 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Tyler Shough: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Sam Darnold is producing at 63% of elite pace and Tyler Shough at 65%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Sam Darnold vs Tyler Shough: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Sam Darnold finished the 2025 season at 13.8 PPG over 17 games with the Seattle Seahawks, while Tyler Shough clocked in at 14.4 across 11 appearances for the New Orleans Saints. A 0.6-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. Sam Darnold threw for 4048 yards and 25 touchdowns, while Tyler Shough posted 2384 yards and 10 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 Tyler Shough 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. Tyler Shough (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Shough outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Shough's 11. 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 Tyler Shough: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Sam Darnold	Tyler Shough
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.8	14.4
Games Played	17	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	235	158
Passing Yards	4,048	2,384
Passing TDs	25	10
Pass Yds/Game	238.1	216.7
Rushing Yards	95	186
Rushing TDs	0	3
Total TDs	25	13
TDs/Game	1.5	1.2
Age	28	26
Experience	7 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Tyler Shough at 14.4 PPG, 0.6 points per game above Sam Darnold's 13.8. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Sam Darnold or Tyler Shough in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Shough has the edge at 14.4 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 Tyler Shough average in 2025?▾

Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tyler Shough averaged 14.4 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Sam Darnold and Tyler Shough's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Sam Darnold or Tyler Shough a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Tyler Shough outscored Sam Darnold by 0.6 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.