Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Gardner Minshew

Tuesday, October 14, 4:59 PM

Fantasy managers were understandably skeptical as to whether quarterback Sam Darnold could follow up his outstanding 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings this year after heading to the NFC West to play for the Seattle Seahawks. Through six weeks with his new team, it's clear that the former third overall pick out of USC is picking up where he left off. The 28-year-old continued to play well in Week 6 against a ball-hawking Jacksonville Jaguars defense and finished just shy of 300 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Darnold has latched onto star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as his go-to target, and it's working. Since a mediocre 150-yard, no-touchdown performance in Week 1, Darnold has thrown for multiple touchdowns in five games and has gone 98-for-138 for 1,391 yards, 11 TDs, and three picks. He continues to be aggressive downfield and should at least be rostered in every fantasy league as a high-end QB2 going forward. He'll really be tested in Week 7 against a Houston Texans defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing QBs through five games.

Saturday, August 16, 2:10 AM

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew completed seven of nine passes (78%) for 70 yards and a touchdown in the 16-33 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Minshew found Robert Tonyan in the back of the endzone on a rollout for an easy score. It was a nice sign to see for Chiefs fans, knowing they have a capable backup behind Patrick Mahomes. That said, Minshew will not have any fantasy value this season unless Mahomes gets injured.