Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jalen Hurts vs Sam Darnold

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Jalen Hurts is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jalen Hurts outscored Sam Darnold by 5.0 PPG in 2025 with 33 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jalen Hurts is the clear pick. Sam Darnold profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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QBPhiladelphia Eagles#7PPG LEADER

Jalen Hurts

PPG

18.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,224

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

421

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Jalen Hurts

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

18.8 PPG13.8 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jalen Hurts: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) QB (ranked #7 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Jalen Hurts is producing at 85% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. That ranking gap means Jalen Hurts carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jalen Hurts vs Sam Darnold: Who Should You Start?

If you are choosing between Jalen Hurts and Sam Darnold for your lineup, you are not alone. Jalen Hurts finished the 2025 season at 18.8 PPG for the Philadelphia Eagles (16 games), and Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 for the Seattle Seahawks (17 games).

That 5.0-point weekly advantage for Jalen Hurts is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Jalen Hurts offers meaningful rushing upside with 421 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Sam Darnold (4048 passing yards, 25 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jalen Hurts sits Week 9 while Sam Darnold is off Week 8. 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

Jalen Hurts is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Sam Darnold is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jalen Hurts (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Jalen Hurts outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 85 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jalen Hurts's 16. That durability gap means Sam Darnold contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jalen Hurts scored 33 total touchdowns in 2025 (2.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Jalen Hurts added 421 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatHurtsDarnold

PPG (Half-PPR)18.813.8

Games Played1617

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)301235

Passing Yards3,2244,048

Passing TDs2525

Pass Yds/Game201.5238.1

Rushing Yards42195

Rushing TDs80

Total TDs3325

TDs/Game2.11.5

Age2728

Experience5 yrs7 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 9Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jalen Hurts at 18.8 PPG, 5.0 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 Jalen Hurts or Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jalen Hurts has the edge at 18.8 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 Jalen Hurts and Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Jalen Hurts averaged 18.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 5.0 points per game.

When are Jalen Hurts and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jalen Hurts (PHI) has a bye in Week 9, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jalen Hurts or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jalen Hurts outscored Sam Darnold by 5.0 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.