Sam Darnold

As we head into the 2025 fantasy football season, Sam Darnold is a name that garners both optimism and skepticism. After a remarkable resurgence with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, where he finished as the QB7 in fantasy rankings, Darnold has made the move to the Seattle Seahawks. This transition, however, comes with its set of challenges. Despite his impressive performance last year, which included 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and a career-high 66.2% completion rate, fantasy analysts are cautious about his prospects in Seattle.

The primary concern is the change in his offensive environment. The Vikings, under Kevin O'Connell, provided Darnold with a highly efficient passing attack and talented receivers like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. In contrast, the Seahawks' offense, although led by the capable Klint Kubiak, lacks the same level of firepower. The team has undergone significant changes, trading away key receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett for Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Additionally, the Seahawks boast one of the worst offensive lines in the league, ranked 31st by PFF, which could significantly impact Darnold's performance.

While Darnold will still have some talented targets in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, the overall offensive setup is less favorable than what he enjoyed in Minnesota. This could lead to a regression from his 2024 career highs. Fantasy analysts are projecting a step back for Darnold, and he is currently ranked outside the top 24 quarterbacks in FantasyPros' Expert Consensus Rankings. However, in two-QB leagues or deeper formats, Darnold could still be a viable option as a borderline QB2, especially given his past performance and the potential for some strong games.

In summary, while Sam Darnold's move to the Seahawks introduces several challenges, he has proven his ability to perform at a high level. His new surroundings may not be as conducive to success, but with the right matchups and a bit of luck, Darnold can still provide fantasy value. Just be cautious not to overexpect based on last year's numbers, and consider him more of a mid-round pick in most fantasy drafts.

Updated 06/28/2025