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Head to Head

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Sam Darnold vs Will LevisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Will Levis's 13.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Sam Darnold edges Will Levis by 0.6 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Sam Darnold goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER
Sam Darnold
PPG
13.8
Games
17
Pass Yds
4,048
Pass TDs
25
Bye
Week 11
QBTennessee Titans#99
Will Levis
PPG
13.2
Games
14
Pass Yds
2,780
Pass TDs
17
Rush Yds
245
Rush TDs
3
Bye
Week 5

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Sam Darnold
Will Levis

Head to Head

13.8 PPG13.2 PPG
17 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Will Levis: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Sam Darnold is producing at 63% of elite pace and Will Levis at 60%. That ranking gap means Sam Darnold carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Sam Darnold vs Will Levis: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Sam Darnold and Will Levis is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.6 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG with the Seattle Seahawks across 17 games, and Will Levis posted 13.2 with the Tennessee Titans in 14.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Sam Darnold threw for 4048 yards and 25 touchdowns, while Will Levis posted 2780 yards and 17 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Sam Darnold has his bye in Week 11, and Will Levis rests in Week 5. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. Will Levis (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Sam Darnold outscored Will Levis by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Will Levis's 14. 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 Will Levis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatSam DarnoldWill Levis
PPG (Half-PPR)13.813.2
Games Played1714
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)235185
Passing Yards4,0482,780
Passing TDs2517
Pass Yds/Game238.1198.6
Rushing Yards95245
Rushing TDs03
Total TDs2520
TDs/Game1.51.4
Age28-
Experience7 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Sam Darnold holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 13.8 points per game. Will Levis averaged 13.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Sam Darnold or Will Levis in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Will Levis's 13.2 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 Will Levis average in 2025?

Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Will Levis averaged 13.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Sam Darnold and Will Levis's bye weeks in 2026?

Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11, and Will Levis (TEN) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Sam Darnold or Will Levis a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Sam Darnold outscored Will Levis 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.