Who should I pick up: Bryce Young or Sam Darnold?

The claim now. The weeks ahead. Make room for the right player.

Reception scoring does not change these projections. One comparison covers PPR, Half-PPR and Standard.

THE PICKUP CALL

For this week: Sam Darnold

If both are available and you need Week 9 points, pick up Sam Darnold over Bryce Young: 18.6 versus 14.8 projected FP. A longer-term hold can be a different decision; compare the outlook below before choosing who to drop.

Forecast updated Nov 3, 2:34 AM ET · Common scoring preset

THE ALTERNATIVE

Bryce Young

QB · CAR · vs DEN

Stats & schedule ›

14.8FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

81.2%rostered on ESPN-0.08 pp recent change

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

Sam Darnold

QB · SEA · vs ARI

Stats & schedule ›

18.6FF projected FP

Nov 8, 4:25 PM ET

30.8%rostered on ESPN+0.13 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Sam Darnold is the stronger immediate points option. Sam Darnold is more widely available across ESPN leagues, but league-wide ownership cannot tell us who is available in yours. For a QB vacancy, compare the immediate matchup with the weeks you actually need covered. A rising roster percentage can explain interest in a player; it does not increase his projected score. If you must drop someone, check the full roster in GamePlan before making the claim.

Bryce Young

Bryce Young projects for 14.8 Standard points against DEN this week. His recent scoring average is 11.9 FP. He is rostered in 81.2% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.08 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 14.8 FP
ESPN: 15.7 FP
Sleeper: 15.9 FP
FantasyPros: 15.7 FP
Boosted Trees: 18.0 FP

Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET

Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold projects for 18.6 Standard points against ARI this week. His recent scoring average is 14.2 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 8.75%. He is rostered in 30.8% of ESPN leagues, with a reported gain of 0.13 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 18.6 FP
ESPN: 15.7 FP
Sleeper: 17.9 FP
FantasyPros: 17.5 FP
Boosted Trees: 18.0 FP

Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET

Roster data as of Nov 3, 12:30 AM ET / Nov 3, 2:30 AM ET. Recent change uses ESPN’s reported field; its lookback window is not specified. Saved model estimates are supporting evidence, not independent votes.

THE HOLD, NOT JUST THE CLAIM

What comes after this week?

Future FF estimates are separate from the current-week pickup call. Totals describe the player, not extra points for your roster. Weeks 15–18 are a calendar view; your league’s playoff weeks may differ. Green highlights the higher displayed projection when both outlooks are known; ties and incomplete comparisons stay neutral.

Window	Bryce Young	Sam Darnold
Next 3 weeks	50.6 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected	35.1 FP2/2 scheduled games projected · 1 bye
Remaining regular-season schedule	161.2 FPHigher projection10/10 scheduled games projected	131.9 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · 1 bye
Weeks 15–18	63.9 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected	51.7 FP4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Bryce Young	Sam Darnold
Week 9	14.8 FPvs DEN	18.6 FPvs ARIHigher projection
Week 10	18.3 FPvs NOHigher projection	16.6 FPvs LV
Week 11	17.5 FPvs BALHigher projection	BYE
Week 12	15.0 FPvs TBHigher projection	12.7 FPvs SF
Week 13	13.1 FPvs MIN	17.5 FPvs DALHigher projection
Week 14	18.6 FPvs NOHigher projection	14.8 FPvs NYG
Week 15	17.6 FPvs CINHigher projection	13.6 FPvs PHI
Week 16	15.5 FPvs PITHigher projection	12.4 FPvs LAR
Week 17	14.0 FPvs SEAHigher projection	13.8 FPvs CAR
Week 18	16.8 FPvs ATLHigher projection	12.0 FPvs LAR

Outlook updated Nov 3, 2:44 AM ET. Health and roles can change.

PICKUP RANKINGS · QB

More options. The same scale.

FF expected-points order within this pickup pool, with higher FF-minus-ESPN margin breaking displayed ties. Available model ranges provide context.

18.2 FP23.4 FP

Joe BurrowQB · 98.8% rostered
23.4
Brock PurdyQB · 98.0% rostered
22.8
Jared GoffQB · 90.0% rostered
20.6
Dak PrescottQB · 92.5% rostered
19.8
Patrick Mahomes IIQB · 89.5% rostered
19.3

What about Sam Darnold versus these pickups?

QB · Week 9

Malik Willis18.9projected FP

Sam Darnold18.6projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 9

Sam Darnold18.6projected FP

Josh Allen18.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 9

Sam Darnold18.6projected FP

Drake Maye19.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 9

Sam Darnold18.6projected FP

Matthew Stafford19.1projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗

More QB pickup decisions

Recorded comparison interest informs the order where available, followed by nearby projected options. These are not claims that both players are free agents in your league.

QB · Week 9