Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Shedeur Sanders


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
20.9 9.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Sam Darnold News

Sam Darnold Looking to Improve Footwork, Limit Turnovers

Thursday, June 25, 4:49 PM

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in his first year with the team in 2025, but after a mediocre performance in the Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots, the veteran signal-caller knows he has plenty to work on going into his ninth year in the NFL. Darnold didn't turn the ball over in the postseason, but he had 20 regular-season turnovers (14 interceptions and six fumbles lost). "I think the biggest thing is continuing to build off of my weaknesses, understanding what I wasn't great at this past year, which I think for me is continuing to hone in on the deep ball, understand how I can be better that way, quieting my feet in the pocket," Darnold said. The former No. 3 overall pick by the New York Jets in 2018 out of USC threw for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 picks during 17 regular-season starts to finish as the QB13 in fantasy. The 29-year-old has one of the best receivers in the game in Jaxon Smith-Njigba at his disposal, but the Seahawks will be relying on rookie running back Jadarian Price after letting Kenneth Walker III walk in free agency. His QB13 finish in 2025 might be his ceiling when considering the lack of depth on Seattle's offense and the fact that the offense will be run by a first-time play-caller in Brian Fleury.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
8.6 8.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Shedeur Sanders News

Browns Interested in Trading Shedeur Sanders?

Thursday, July 9, 5:31 PM

The NFL Network's James Palmer reports that "there have been some things circulating" that the Cleveland Browns "could be moving on" from second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland now has plenty of draft capital and are expected to be in on the strong QB class in next year's NFL draft. Palmer also reports that Sanders is "making up ground" and "has closed the gap" in the quarterback competition with veteran Deshaun Watson. The belief is that the competition is close this summer in training camp, the Browns will go with Watson, who has more NFL experience and also much more invested into him by the organization. Sanders is improving in terms of his pocket presence and in going through his progressions, and he's done everything right since he fell to the fifth round in last year's draft. Accuracy is the 24-year-old's strength, but he's been more of a developmental prospect in terms of playing under center, reading defenses, and playing with anticipation. Palmer is not convinced that the Browns are set on trading Sanders because of the improvement that he's shown since joining the NFL. Neither Watson nor Sanders will carry much value in single-QB, 12-team fantasy leagues in 2026, but now might be a good time to buy low on Sanders in dynasty/keeper formats.


Sam Darnold vs. Shedeur Sanders

Still trying to decide between Darnold and Sanders? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Sam Darnold is projected to score 20.9 points this week while Shedeur Sanders is projected to score 8.6 points.