Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold enters the 2026 fantasy football season as a reliable but unspectacular QB2, with enough weekly stability to matter in superflex and two-quarterback formats, but not enough rushing upside or ceiling to make him an auto-start in standard one-quarterback leagues. After finishing 2025 with 4,048 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and just 95 rushing yards, he was useful, but his production dipped from his 2024 breakout, and CBS Sports specifically says fantasy managers should not have high expectations in 1QB leagues.

The biggest reason to take Darnold seriously again is the combination of his recent efficiency and a Seahawks offense that still gives him a strong supporting cast. FantasyPros notes that over the last two regular seasons he completed 66.9% of his passes, averaged 8.2 yards per attempt, and produced 60 touchdown passes with a passer rating of 100.9, while also finishing as QB9 and QB13 in fantasy scoring. That said, Seattle was run-heavy in 2025, and Darnold averaged only 28.1 pass attempts per game, so his fantasy value is tied more to efficiency and touchdowns than to volume.

There are a few things working in his favor for 2026. Seattle has a new offensive coordinator in Brian Fleury, which could mean a higher pass rate and a slight boost in Darnold’s numbers, and the offense may lean more on the passing game if the run game takes a step back. The recent context around the roster also matters: CBS Sports notes Kenneth Walker III is gone and Zach Charbonnet is injured, which could push the Seahawks toward a more pass-friendly approach. Even so, Darnold’s profile remains fairly clear: he is good enough to support receivers and score solid fantasy points, but not dynamic enough to carry a lineup by himself.

For 2026 drafts, Darnold makes the most sense as a late-round target in one-quarterback leagues and a mid-round option in superflex or multiple-QB formats. If you wait on quarterback and want a steady veteran with a proven connection to Seattle’s passing game, he’s a sensible fallback, especially since recent fantasy outlets project him as a fringe top-14 quarterback entering the season. His floor is useful, his ceiling is limited, and that combination makes him a smart, contextual pick rather than a player to build around.

Updated 06/08/2026