Malik Willis · Sam Darnold · 2026 week 8

Malik Willis or Sam Darnold?

Wondering who you should start this week — Malik Willis 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 2.4 PPR points clear of Malik Willis in week 8, drawing CHI — the 10th-ranked matchup for QBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.
PlayerWk 8Proj (PPR)MatchupForm L3Trade valueStatus
Malik Willis vs NE 13.9 23rd 16.5 138 healthy
Sam Darnold START vs CHI 16.3 10th 12.8 335 healthy

QBs vs NE recently: Kirk Cousins 13.7 pts (W5) · Geno Smith 13 pts (W6) · Caleb Williams 22.1 pts (W7).

QBs vs CHI recently: Jordan Love 25.3 pts (W5) · Michael Penix Jr. 23.1 pts (W6) · Drake Maye 28.4 pts (W7).

🎓 The coach's read

Free. Add your scoring and who else you have — the answer gets specific. 3 questions a day without an account, 30 with one.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Sam Darnold carries the higher trade value — 335 against 138 (a 59% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Sam Darnold gets the most. Momentum: Malik Willis +27 and Sam Darnold -373 over the last 30 days.

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

More QB decisions

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.