Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Gardner Minshew vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.8 PPG to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Sam Darnold is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Sam Darnold and Gardner Minshew are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.4-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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QBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Gardner Minshew

PPG

12.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,420

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

125

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBSeattle Seahawks#27PPG LEADER

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Gardner Minshew

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

12.4 PPG13.8 PPG

12 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Gardner Minshew: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Gardner Minshew is producing at 56% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Sam Darnold carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gardner Minshew vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

Gardner Minshew (12.4 PPG) and Sam Darnold (13.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Gardner Minshew played 12 games for the Las Vegas Raiders; Sam Darnold suited up 17 times for the Seattle Seahawks.

A 1.4-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Gardner Minshew threw for 2420 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Sam Darnold posted 4048 yards and 25 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Gardner Minshew sits Week 10 while Sam Darnold is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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: Gardner Minshew (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Sam Darnold (age 29) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Sam Darnold outscored Gardner Minshew by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Gardner Minshew's 12. 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

Gardner Minshew vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gardner Minshew	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.4	13.8
Games Played	12	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	149	235
Passing Yards	2,420	4,048
Passing TDs	14	25
Pass Yds/Game	201.7	238.1
Rushing Yards	125	95
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	15	25
TDs/Game	1.3	1.5
Age	-	29
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

13.8 PPG for Sam Darnold versus 12.4 for Gardner Minshew 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Gardner Minshew or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Sam Darnold has the edge at 13.8 PPG compared to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 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 Gardner Minshew and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Gardner Minshew and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gardner Minshew (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gardner Minshew or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Sam Darnold outscored Gardner Minshew by 1.4 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.