Daniel Jones · Sam Darnold · 2026 week 1

Daniel Jones or Sam Darnold?

Start Sam DarnoldSam Darnold projects 1.9 PPR points clear of Daniel Jones in week 1, drawing NE — the 22nd-ranked matchup for QBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 1	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Daniel Jones	vs BAL	17.0	12th	11.6	65	healthy
Sam Darnold START	vs NE	18.9	22nd	12.5	167	healthy

QBs vs BAL recently: Drake Maye 24.7 pts (W16) · Malik Willis 31.5 pts (W17) · Aaron Rodgers 17.8 pts (W18).

QBs vs NE recently: Lamar Jackson 4.7 pts (W16) · Brady Cook 5.2 pts (W17) · Quinn Ewers 9.4 pts (W18).

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Sam Darnold carries the higher trade value — 167 against 65 (a 61% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Sam Darnold gets the most. Momentum: Daniel Jones -23 and Sam Darnold -41 over the last 30 days.

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

More QB decisions

Daniel Jones or C.J. Stroud?Daniel Jones or Kyler Murray?Sam Darnold or Tyler Shough?Sam Darnold or Cam Ward?Sam Darnold or Fernando Mendoza?

Game logs, matchup ranks and form are the 2025 season — 2026 hasn’t kicked off. Projections, schedule and trade values are current 2026 numbers, refreshed nightly.