Sam Darnold
26-Year-Old
2023 Pass/Rush Stats
YDS
297
TD
2
INT
1
YDS
15
TD
1
2024 Projections
2023 Fantasy Outlook
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. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
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
Darnold spent the 2023 campaign as Brock Purdy's backup in San Francisco, but he now will join his former teammate and current Vikings quarterback coach Josh McCown in Minnesota. With Kirk Cousins en route to Atlanta, Darnold becomes the de facto No. 1 option under center with his new team. Darnold completed 16 of 26 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown while adding another 19 yards and a trip to the end zone on seven carries in his only start for the 49ers last season. It remains to be seen if Minnesota will draft or bring in competition for Darnold, as the journeyman signal-caller could be viewed either as a bridge to a younger quarterback or potential option for the future.
Darnold spent the 2023 campaign as Brock Purdy's backup in San Francisco, but he now will join his former teammate and current Vikings quarterback coach Josh McCown in Minnesota. With Kirk Cousins en route to Atlanta, Darnold becomes the de facto No. 1 option under center with his new team. Darnold completed 16 of 26 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown while adding another 19 yards and a trip to the end zone on seven carries in his only start for the 49ers last season. It remains to be seen if Minnesota will draft or bring in competition for Darnold, as the journeyman signal-caller could be viewed either as a bridge to a younger quarterback or potential option for the future.
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
2022
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
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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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Darnold, who signed with the Vikings earlier this offseason and is the presumptive No. 1 quarterback for the time being, will have to hold off 10th overall selection J.J. McCarthy for the starting job this summer, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Darnold, a one-time third overall pick himself, inked a one-year, $10 million deal in free agency to serve as the short-term veteran replacement for the departed Kirk Cousins. Darnold brings plenty of experience but a history of spotty play to the table, so the possibility McCarthy, despite admittedly having more question marks attached to his own profile than a top-10 quarterback normally would, can beat him out for the job with an impressive enough summer is seemingly there.
Darnold, a one-time third overall pick himself, inked a one-year, $10 million deal in free agency to serve as the short-term veteran replacement for the departed Kirk Cousins. Darnold brings plenty of experience but a history of spotty play to the table, so the possibility McCarthy, despite admittedly having more question marks attached to his own profile than a top-10 quarterback normally would, can beat him out for the job with an impressive enough summer is seemingly there.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
The hope was that a change of scenery would do Darnold some good, but his play in Carolina
last season mirrored his play in New York. In 12 games with the Panthers, his numbers were
virtually the same as in 12 games the year before with the Jets. Darnold's completion rate, on-
target rate and YPA were each bottom 4 in the league, while his 3.2 percent INT rate was third
highest. On downfield attempts, he ranked 28th in on-target rate (40.5 percent) and last in YPA
(8.3). The Panthers made no secret of their desire to upgrade the position, drafting Matt
Corral in the third round and later trading for Baker Mayfield. The team still gave Darnold a shot this summer, but Mayfield ultimately won the job battle and was named the Week 1 starter before the third preseason game.
More Fantasy News
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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Starting regular-season finale
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Wednesday that Darnold will serve as the 49ers' starting quarterback for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Rams, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Takes over late for injured starter
Darnold completed eight of 14 pass attempts for 81 yards, a touchdown and an interception while adding nine rushing yards on one attempt in Monday's 33-19 loss to the Ravens.
ANALYSIS
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Mops up in blowout win
Darnold carried once for minus-one yard while playing four of the 49ers' 59 snaps on offense in Sunday's 42-19 win over the Eagles.
ANALYSIS
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