C.J. Stroud · Sam Darnold · 2026 week 2

C.J. Stroud or Sam Darnold?

Wondering who you should start this week — C.J. Stroud or Sam Darnold? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start C.J. StroudC.J. Stroud projects 2.5 PPR points clear of Sam Darnold in week 2, drawing CIN — the 27th-ranked matchup for QBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 2	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
C.J. Stroud START	vs CIN	17.9	27th · tough	16.5	377	healthy
Sam Darnold	vs LAC	15.4	16th	0.5	265	Out

QBs vs CIN recently: Baker Mayfield 11.6 pts (W1).

QBs vs LAC recently: Jacoby Brissett 16.5 pts (W1).

Who wins a straight-up trade?

C.J. Stroud carries the higher trade value — 377 against 265 (a 30% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving C.J. Stroud gets the most. Momentum: C.J. Stroud +86 and Sam Darnold -65 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More QB decisions

C.J. Stroud or Jordan Love?C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young?C.J. Stroud or Matthew Stafford?Sam Darnold or Matthew Stafford?Sam Darnold or Kyler Murray?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.