Joe Milton · Sam Darnold · 2026 week 9

Joe Milton or Sam Darnold?

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

Start Sam DarnoldSam Darnold projects 4.5 PPR points clear of Joe Milton in week 9, drawing LV — the 5th-ranked matchup for QBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 9	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Joe Milton	vs NYG	12.6	7th · soft	–	89	healthy
Sam Darnold START	@ LV	17.1	5th · soft	15.5	119	Out

QBs vs NYG recently: Jayden Daniels 32.3 pts (W5) · Tyler Shough 27 pts (W6) · C.J. Stroud 16.5 pts (W7).

QBs vs LV recently: Josh Allen 18.3 pts (W6) · Matthew Stafford 18.5 pts (W7) · Geno Smith 19 pts (W8).

🎓 The coach's read

Sam Darnold projects 4.5 points higher in PPR.
Joe Milton faces NYG, 7th most generous to QBs.
Sam Darnold faces LV, 5th most generous to QBs.
Sam Darnold is flagged OUT.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Sam Darnold carries the higher trade value — 119 against 89 (a 25% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Sam Darnold gets the most. Momentum: Joe Milton +89 and Sam Darnold -153 over the last 30 days.

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

More QB decisions

Joe Milton or Gardner Minshew II?Joe Milton or Baker Mayfield?Sam Darnold or Geno Smith?Sam Darnold or Jacoby Brissett?Sam Darnold or Gardner Minshew II?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.