Sam Darnold
27-Year-Old
2023 Pass/Rush Stats
YDS
297
TD
2
INT
1
YDS
15
TD
1
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Darnold signed a one-year deal with the Vikings shortly after Kirk Cousins jumped ship for Atlanta. J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in this year's draft, is the Vikings’ QB of the future and likely will take over this season at some point, but Darnold could be under center Week 1. Darnold spent last season as the backup to Brock Purdy in San Francisco, where he started one game and finished the season with an unimpressive 6.5 YPA and 60.9 completion percentage -- pretty much in line with his career averages. That’s likely what Darnold will offer this season while the Vikings wait for McCarthy to develop. Darnold at least has excellent weapons to target in wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson, though the latter is coming back from a late-season ACL tear. Free-agent RB Aaron Jones should also help the passing game, but his presence may encourage coach Kevin O’Connell to run the ball more often this season after ranking third in pass percentage last year (63.3). Darnold has never been skilled at throwing deep, and the Vikings gained just 42.8 percent of their passing yards after the catch last season, the lowest rate in the league. Darnold doesn’t add much on the ground, likely limiting his fantasy value to two-QB leagues even if Jefferson and Addison help him put up better-than-usual passing efficiency numbers. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Will head to camp as QB1
Darnold will be the first-team quarterback when Minnesota begins training camp in late July, ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert reports.
ANALYSIS
Darnold took all the first-team reps at June minicamp and reportedly looked sharper than 10th overall draft pick J.J. McCarthy. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Darnold will remain the top QB for the start of training camp, but O'Connell cautioned that it's one of the many positions at which he anticipates competition later this summer.
Darnold took all the first-team reps at June minicamp and reportedly looked sharper than 10th overall draft pick J.J. McCarthy. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Darnold will remain the top QB for the start of training camp, but O'Connell cautioned that it's one of the many positions at which he anticipates competition later this summer.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Sam Darnold's 2023 advanced stats compare to other quarterbacks?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Bad Pass %
21.7%Avg Target Depth
8.0 YdsSack Rate
11.5%Avg Receiver YAC
5.8 YdsReceiver Drop %
4.3%Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
2023
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2021
2020
2019
2018
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
2023 Sam Darnold Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Sam Darnold's measurables compare to other quarterbacks?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 3"Weight
225 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.85 secShuttle Time
4.40 secCone Drill
6.96 secVertical Jump
26.5 inBroad Jump
105 inHand Length
9.38 inArm Length
31.00 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Opening training camp as No. 1
Head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Darnold will continue operating as the Vikings' top quarterback at the start of training camp, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
O'Connell naturally didn't project any depth chart slotting beyond that statement, simply saying he was planning for a "competitive" camp at multiple positions. O'Connell explained his decision was largely based on Darnold's strong spring and his experience, but added he'd also emphasized to all four quarterbacks on the roster that depth charts don't dictate the future.
O'Connell naturally didn't project any depth chart slotting beyond that statement, simply saying he was planning for a "competitive" camp at multiple positions. O'Connell explained his decision was largely based on Darnold's strong spring and his experience, but added he'd also emphasized to all four quarterbacks on the roster that depth charts don't dictate the future.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Darnold started the final six games for the Panthers last season after first losing the starting job to Baker Mayfield in training camp and then suffering an ankle injury that kept him out two months. While he threw only three interceptions, he wasn’t accurate. His 65.0 on-target percentage ranked 38th of 40 QBs with at least 140 attempts, and his 58.6 completion percentage was 36th. He signed a one-year deal with the 49ers this offseason to compete with Trey Lance while Brock Purdy recovers from elbow surgery. Should Darnold get snaps, he’ll have more talent around him than he’s ever had before in his career. He can at least dump the ball off and let the 49ers’ playmakers gobble up yards after the catch, as they did last year when they led the league with 6.6 YAC per reception. Darnold is also a capable scrambler, good for about 15-20 yards per game, potentially giving him value in two-QB leagues if he ends up making starts for a loaded Niners team.
More Fantasy News
Excels at minicamp
Darnold took every first-team rep during mandatory minicamp, with Alec Lewis of The Athletic reporting that the veteran quarterback's "consistency stood out for three days" while J.J. McCarthy missed more throws.
ANALYSIS
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Team won't rush to name starting QB
The Vikings could begin the season with Darnold as the team's starting quarterback, despite taking J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports. "We're not going to rush his development," general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. "We're just going to do what's best for the Vikings in the short and long term."
ANALYSIS
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Commits to Vikings
Darnold agreed to terms on a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
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Solid as backup in 2023
Darnold completed 61 percent of his pass attempts for 297 yards, two touchdowns and one interception across 10 games (one start) with San Francisco in 2023.
ANALYSIS
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Two scores in first start for SF
Darnold completed 16 of 26 pass attempts for 189 yards and a touchdown while rushing seven times for 19 yards and another score in Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Rams. He also lost a fumble.
ANALYSIS
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