Deshaun Watson or Sam Darnold?
Who to start in Week 3, who is better for the rest of the season, and who carries more trade value — from the FantasyPros expert consensus and the LeagueLogs Market Index.
Week 3 · 2026 season · Consensus updated September 22 at 6:11 AM EDT
Connect your league and an AI analyst settles debates like this one against your actual roster.
The lean
- This week: Weekly comparison unavailable
- Rest of season: Deshaun Watson — 3 of 3 experts
- Trade value: Sam Darnold
Some comparison data is unavailable. Read each available measure separately and check player status before deciding.
| Deshaun Watson | Sam Darnold | |
|---|---|---|
| Rest of season 0 of 3 experts rank Deshaun Watson ahead · 3 rank Sam Darnold ahead | QB33#32–#35edge | QB188#153–#285 |
| Week 3 | QB29#28–#30 | — |
| Week 3 projection (PPR) | 14.8 | 17.4edge |
| Market Index value (redraft PPR) | 3 #317 overall | 6 #138 overalledge |
| Last 30 days (Market Index) | +19 ranks · +16 val | 0 ranks · 0 val |
| Rostered | 4% | 32% |
| Bye | 11 | 11 |
| Status | No injury designation | No injury designation |
Expert consensus and ownership data via FantasyPros · Market Index values by LeagueLogs
Go deeper
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who should I start in Week 3, Deshaun Watson or Sam Darnold?
- Weekly consensus is not available for both Deshaun Watson and Sam Darnold on the same board. That is not a tie or a recommendation to sit either player. Check their player pages for current status and revisit when both are ranked.
- Who is better for the rest of the season, Deshaun Watson or Sam Darnold?
- Deshaun Watson. Rest-of-season consensus: Deshaun Watson QB33 (range #32–#35) vs Sam Darnold QB188 (range #153–#285). 3 of 3 FantasyPros experts who rank both have Sam Darnold ahead for the rest of the season.
- Should I trade Deshaun Watson for Sam Darnold?
- On the LeagueLogs Market Index (redraft PPR) Deshaun Watson is ranked #317 overall and Sam Darnold #138, so Sam Darnold carries more trade value and a one-for-one favors the side receiving him. Run the exact deal through the free AI Trade Analyzer for a verdict on your league's scoring.