Marcus Mariota 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: Marcus Mariota — 3 of 3 experts
- Trade value: Sam Darnold
Some comparison data is unavailable. Read each available measure separately and check player status before deciding.
| Marcus Mariota | Sam Darnold | |
|---|---|---|
| Rest of season 0 of 3 experts rank Marcus Mariota ahead · 3 rank Sam Darnold ahead | QB31#26–#33edge | QB188#153–#285 |
| Week 3 | QB30#28–#32 | — |
| Week 3 projection (PPR) | 14.3 | 17.4edge |
| Market Index value (redraft PPR) | 2 #464 overall | 6 #138 overalledge |
| Last 30 days (Market Index) | -10 ranks · -4 val | 0 ranks · 0 val |
| Rostered | 1% | 32% |
| Bye | 7 | 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, Marcus Mariota or Sam Darnold?
- Weekly consensus is not available for both Marcus Mariota 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, Marcus Mariota or Sam Darnold?
- Marcus Mariota. Rest-of-season consensus: Marcus Mariota QB31 (range #26–#33) 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 Marcus Mariota for Sam Darnold?
- On the LeagueLogs Market Index (redraft PPR) Marcus Mariota is ranked #464 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.