Fernando Mendoza 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
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The lean
- This week: Weekly comparison unavailable
- Rest of season: Sam Darnold — 3 of 4 experts
- Trade value: Sam Darnold
Some comparison data is unavailable. Read each available measure separately and check player status before deciding.
| Fernando Mendoza | Sam Darnold | |
|---|---|---|
| Rest of season 1 of 4 experts rank Fernando Mendoza ahead · 3 rank Sam Darnold ahead | QB257#179–#338 | QB188#153–#285edge |
| Week 3 | — | — |
| Week 3 projection (PPR) | 2.4 | 17.4edge |
| Market Index value (redraft PPR) | 3 #268 overall | 6 #138 overalledge |
| Last 30 days (Market Index) | -1 ranks · -1 val | 0 ranks · 0 val |
| Rostered | 16% | 32% |
| Bye | 13 | 11 |
| Status | No injury designation | No injury designation |
Expert consensus and ownership data via FantasyPros · Market Index values by LeagueLogs
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Who should I start in Week 3, Fernando Mendoza or Sam Darnold?
- Weekly consensus is not available for both Fernando Mendoza 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, Fernando Mendoza or Sam Darnold?
- Sam Darnold. Rest-of-season consensus: Fernando Mendoza QB257 (range #179–#338) vs Sam Darnold QB188 (range #153–#285). 3 of 4 FantasyPros experts who rank both have Sam Darnold ahead for the rest of the season.
- Should I trade Fernando Mendoza for Sam Darnold?
- On the LeagueLogs Market Index (redraft PPR) Fernando Mendoza is ranked #268 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.