Drake Maye vs Sam Darnold
Who should you start in Week 5? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 5
Start Drake Maye this week: a clear but modest edge of 1.4 projected points (15.6 vs 14.2).
Drake Maye faces LV, the 9th-friendliest matchup a QB can draw this week. Sam Darnold faces SF, the 18th-friendliest matchup a QB can draw this week.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
The model takes Drake Maye: a clear but modest edge of 9.7 points of value over replacement (-33.0 vs -42.8).
The draft market agrees: Drake Maye goes first at ADP 51.8 vs 144.4 for Sam Darnold.
| Drake MayeNWE | Sam DarnoldSEA | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 5 opponent | LV | SF | |
| Projected Week 5 points | 15.6 | 14.2 | Maye +1.4 pts |
| Matchup rank (QB vs defense, of 30) | #9 | #18 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 252.2 | 242.5 | Maye +9.7 pts |
| Points per game | 14.8 | 14.3 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -33.0 | -42.8 | Maye +9.7 |
| Overall rank | #111 | #121 | Maye by 10 |
| Position rank | QB20 | QB22 | |
| Market ADP | 51.8 | 144.4 | Darnold +92.6 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 5 | Rd 12 | |
| Bye week | 11 | 11 |
Should I start Drake Maye or Sam Darnold in Week 5?
Start Drake Maye this week: a clear but modest edge of 1.4 projected points (15.6 vs 14.2).
Should I draft Drake Maye or Sam Darnold in 2026 fantasy football?
Drake Maye. He projects 252.2 fantasy points with -33.0 value over replacement, vs 242.5 points and -42.8 for Sam Darnold (QB, PPR).