Cade Otton vs Pat Freiermuth: Who Should You Start?
The gap between Cade Otton and Pat Freiermuth is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.3 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Cade Otton averaged 5.8 PPG with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers across 16 games, and Pat Freiermuth posted 5.5 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 17.
When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.
Cade Otton is the volume tight end in this matchup with 59 receptions for 572 yards, while Pat Freiermuth profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (4 scores on 41 catches). In weeks where Pat Freiermuth finds the end zone he out-scores Cade Otton, but the floor gap is real.
Cade Otton has his bye in Week 11, and Pat Freiermuth rests in Week 9. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
