Guest of the League
Moneyball Est. 2019
Dynasty $500 - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1
Sam Darnold

QB SF

College: USC | 6 years
Height: 6'3" | Weight: 225 lbs
Birth Date: 6/5/1997
2024 Bye Week: 13

Total Pts: 29.65
Avg Pts: 1.74
Rank: 53 QB

Free Agent

2024 RTSports Outlook

Darnold found his way into the starting lineup the last six games for the Panthers and played pretty well in that role. He had eight total touchdowns to just three interceptions. He topped 20 fantasy points two of those games. He still had some accuracy issues, though, completing just 58.6 percent of his passes. Darnold signed with the 49ers and gives the team a veteran presence in the locker room. He could be No. 2 or 3 on the depth chart. Darnold has a great arm, can make plays down the field, and also moves around the pocket pretty well. He will turn the ball over, though, and struggles with accuracy.

FANTASY OUTLOOK: Darnold looked good at times last year, which was encouraging. He might be worth some spot starts if he keeps progressing and finds his way into the starting lineup in a great 49ers offense.

FreeDraftGuide.com

Fantasy WeekPts
Scoring
Week 10.00
Week 20.00
Week 30.00
Week 40.00
Week 50.05Sam Darnold 1 passing yd (0.05 pts)
Week 60.00
Week 70.00
Week 80.00
Week 9
Week 100.30Sam Darnold 6 passing yds (0.30 pts)
Week 110.00
Week 120.00
Week 130.00
Week 140.00
Playoff Week 11.00Sam Darnold 20 passing yds (1.00 pts)
Playoff Week 27.95Sam Darnold 9 rushing yds (0.90 pts)
Sam Darnold 81 passing yds (4.05 pts)
Sam Darnold 1 passing TD (4.00 pts)
. . . Sam Darnold 12 yd TD pass to Ronnie Bell
Sam Darnold 1 interception thrown (-1.00 pts)
Playoff Week 30.00
Player Notes
Mar 25 2:20pm ET

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that he's happy to have veteran quarterback Sam Darnold on the team this year. "I think his best football is ahead of him because of how he handled the last couple of years," O'Connell said. The Vikings head coach points out that he saw growth with Darnold's fundamentals as he worked as Brock Purdy's backup in San Francisco last year, and he's excited to get to work with him in Minnesota. The Vikings signed the former first-rounder to a one-year, $10 million deal this offseason, and depending on what the team does in the upcoming NFL draft, Darnold could open the year as the starter under center in Week 1. He'll have one of the best receivers in the game in Justin Jefferson to work with if he's starting, but Darnold will still be a midrange QB2, at best, in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Mar 13 5:03pm ET

Updating a previous report, free-agent QB Sam Darnold (49ers) officially agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings Wednesday, March 13. Financial terms were not disclosed, but an earlier report stated the deal is worth as much as $10 million.

From TheHuddle

Mar 13 12:01am ET

Dynasty | The Vikings have signed quarterback Sam Darnold. Dynasty Analysis: This was about the best outcome possible for Darnold, who is currently the de facto starter for the Vikings, who lost Kirk Cousins to Atlanta. Darnold has been in some of the worst situations imaginable during his time in the league with stops in New York (Jets), Carolina, and San Francisco. His career totals of 12,064 passing yards with a 63:56 touchdown-to-interception ratio are serviceable and could even be deemed as admirable based on the rosters he's dealt with. While the Vikings are likely to add a rookie to the fold, Darnold looks like he may have one more chance at carving out dynasty value.

Mar 12 9:20am ET

Free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold is expected to sign with the Minnesota Vikings when the new league year begins on Wednesday, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. He will ink a one-year, $10 million deal. The Vikings just lost veteran franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons, so Darnold could have the chance to earn a few starts in 2024. Minnesota could be eyeing a rookie quarterback in next month's NFL Draft, but Darnold could serve as a bridge quarterback as they ease a rookie into action. The former No. 3 overall pick by the New York Jets has thrown for 12,064 yards, 63 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions during his six-year NFL career. He was Brock Purdy's backup in San Francisco last season. Although he's not on the single-QB fantasy radar, he could be worth rostering in two-QB or Superflex leagues early next season.

From RotoBaller

Mar 12 2:03am ET

Impending free-agent QB Sam Darnold (49ers) agreed to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, March 12, and the contract is worth up to $10 million.

Fantasy Spin: Darnold will get an opportunity to win the starting job in the Twin Cities, and working with players like Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison might make him a deep sleeper in deeper fantasy leagues and those which require two starting signal callers.

From TheHuddle

Mar 11 11:30pm ET

Free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold is weighing free-agent offers between the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings, according to sources. The Broncos recently released Russell Wilson, who was quickly picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, the Vikings saw Kirk Cousins walk in free agency to the Atlanta Falcons, so both teams could use a veteran QB addition like Darnold to compete with either Jarrett Stidham (in Denver) or Nick Mullens? (in Minnesota). Of course, both teams could also make a move up in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft to land a future franchise signal-caller as well. Darnold, 26, was a bust for the Jets as the third overall pick in 2018 and has started just seven games in the last two years with the Panthers and Niners. If Darnold ends up starting for the majority of next season with either the Broncos or Vikings, their offenses would be in bad shape.

From RotoBaller

Mar 11 10:03pm ET

Impending free-agent QB Sam Darnold (49ers) has received contract offers from the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos.

Fantasy Spin: Both the Vikings and Broncos are looking for possible starting options, so Darnold seems to be on track to makes some starts in 2024. Fantasy players can monitor the situation, but he probably will be avoided in most leagues.

From TheHuddle

Mar 11 4:40pm ET

The Athletic's Dianna Russini writes that we should look for the Minnesota Vikings to go after free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold after former QB Kirk Cousins joined the Atlanta Falcons in free agency on Monday. Darnold has other suitors on the open market, but perhaps none more desperate than the Vikings right now. The former first-round pick spent the 2023 season as the San Francisco 49ers' backup to Brock Purdy, and he ended up going 28-for-46 for 297 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in 10 games played (one start). The 26-year-old looked much more comfortable with the Niners in limited action last year, but that doesn't mean he'll improve at all in a different organization if he's forced into a starting role for the Vikings in 2024. However, he would be in a strong situation with one of the best receivers in the game in Justin Jefferson.

From RotoBaller

Mar 11 3:13pm ET

Impending free agent QB Sam Darnold (49ers) is generating interest from the Minnesota Vikings, according to sources Monday, March 11.

Fantasy Spin: It remains to be seen if Darnold would be the starter or whether he would compete with a rookie. But he could have mid-QB2 value with the Vikings.

From TheHuddle

Jan 7 8:53pm ET

San Francisco 49ers QB Sam Darnold completed 16-of-26 passes for 189 yards, one touchdown and no interception in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams, while running seven times for 19 yards and a score.

From TheHuddle

Jan 7 8:30pm ET

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold took all the snaps under center in Sunday's 21-20 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The former first-round pick got his only start of the season with regular starter Brock Purdy resting in a game the 49ers entered having already nailed down the No.1 playoff seed in the NFC. Darnold completed 16 of 26 attempts for 189 yards passing and one touchdown. Sunday's game was a decent showcase for Darnold as he'll be a free agent this summer hoping to sign somewhere with a chance to compete for a starting job in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Jan 6 12:40am ET

San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Sam Darnold will draw his first start of the season in the team's final regular season game on Sunday at home versus the Los Angeles Rams. On Wednesday head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that starter Brock Purdy would see no action in Week 18 but that's no guarantee that Darnold will get all the snaps. On Friday morning general manager John Lynch commented "...we'll see if (third-string quarterback) Brandon Allen gets in there." In 2022 with the Panthers, Darnold averaged 14.4 fantasy points per game in a six-game stretch to finish the year, including a three-touchdown performance in Week 17, immediately followed by a dismal Week 18 when he produced less than one fantasy point. The Rams' pass defense has been the sixth-most generous to fantasy quarterbacks, but it's probably unwise to heed season-long statistics in a meaningless game with important starters on both sides resting. Darnold is an extremely unpredictable QB2 play in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Jan 3 3:33pm ET

San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy will not play in the Week 18 game, and QB Sam Darnold will be the starting quarterback for the game, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Fantasy Spin: Purdy will have an extended break since the 49ers will have a bye for the first week of the playoffs. Darnold should have some success this week but is probably only an option in two-quarterback leagues.

From TheHuddle

Dec 26 12:40am ET

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold finished the team's 33-19 Christmas night loss to the Baltimore Ravens after starter Brock Purdy (stinger) left the game with 8:02 remaining in the fourth quarter. The former first-round pick looked competent considering the situation. Forced into a desperate hurry-up offense while facing a three-score deficit and his offensive line in disarray due to the emergent absence of All-Pro LT Trent Williams (groin), Darnold completed eight of 14 passes for 81 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. If Purdy were to miss Week 17 at Washington, the prospect of streaming Darnold in championship week would surely make fantasy managers squeamish, but he'd be worth consideration for the desperate.

From RotoBaller

Dec 26 12:23am ET

San Francisco 49ers QB Sam Darnold completed 8-of-14 passes for 81 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens in relief of QB Brock Purdy (stinger).

From TheHuddle

Oct 28 4:00am ET

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold could be in line for his first start of the year in Week 8 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. Regular quarterback Brock Purdy remained in the league's concussion protocol on Friday and could be forced to sit. In 2022 with the Panthers, Darnold averaged 14.4 fantasy points per game in a six-game stretch to finish the year, including a three-touchdown performance in Week 17 which was immediately followed by a dismal Week 18 when he produced less than one fantasy point. Cincinnati checks in with the sixth-worst pass defense in football, allowing 355.8 passing yards per game and the 49ers have plenty of options even without Deebo Samuel (shoulder) available. Despite that, the 49ers are likely to lean heavily on the running game, especially if they get the lead early. If Purdy is out, Darnold would be a viable choice in superflex formats but a precarious-at-best play in standard leagues.

From RotoBaller

Oct 26 12:40pm ET

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold could start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals due to Brock Purdy (concussion) being in concussion protocol. Purdy entered the NFL's protocol after the Week 7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. If Darnold starts, he'll have immediate fantasy football value in superflex and two-QB formats. However, the Bengals have surrendered the 13th-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season, so he's not on the fantasy radar in single-QB formats. He does have upside surrounded by Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk, but he has failed to look like a legitimate starting signal-caller since being drafted in 2018.

From RotoBaller

Oct 8 11:13pm ET

San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy completed 17-of-24 passes for 252 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys before getting pulled early in the fourth quarter with the game well out of hand. Backup QB Sam Darnold will steer the ship home the rest of the way.

From TheHuddle

Player Transactions
  • 12-Mar-2024: Sam Darnold - SGN - The Minnesota Vikings signed QB Sam Darnold.
  • 12-Mar-2024: Sam Darnold - FA - QB Sam Darnold elected free agency.
  • 14-Mar-2023: Sam Darnold - SGN - The San Francisco 49ers signed QB Sam Darnold.
  • 07-Nov-2022: Sam Darnold - ACT - The Carolina Panthers activated QB Sam Darnold from IRD.
  • 31-Aug-2022: CAR Sam Darnold - On IR - left ankle sprain
  • 12-Nov-2021: CAR Sam Darnold - On IR - right shoulder
  • 30-Apr-2021: CAR Sam Darnold - Exercised Option - Fifth-year option on rookie contract
  • 05-Apr-2021: CAR Sam Darnold - Traded - for 2021 and 2022 draft picks
  • 30-Jul-2018: NYJ - Signed, Draft Choice - Four-year contract (fifth-year option)
NFL Week
OppPtsPass
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Pass
Yds
Pass
TDs
300
Yds
Rush
Yds
Rush
TDs
Fum
Lost
Int
2023 Season29.6528462972015111
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Week 2@LAR0.00000000000
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Week 5DAL0.0511100-1000
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Week 9bye
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Week 12@SEA0.00000000000
Week 13@PHI0.0000000-1000
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Week 15@ARI1.00232000-2000
Week 16BAL7.9581481109001
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Week 18LAR20.3516261891019110
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Superbowl@KC0.00000000000