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Cade Stover vs Darnell WashingtonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darnell Washington is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.5 PPG to Cade Stover's 3.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darnell Washington is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Darnell Washington edges Cade Stover by 1.0 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Darnell Washington goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEHouston Texans#99
Cade Stover
PPG
3.5
Games
15
Rec
22
Rec Yds
215
Rec TDs
1
Targets
32
Bye
Week 14
TEPittsburgh Steelers#38PPG LEADER
Darnell Washington
PPG
4.5
Games
13
Rec
31
Rec Yds
364
Rec TDs
1
Targets
43
Bye
Week 9

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cade Stover
Darnell Washington

Head to Head

3.5 PPG4.5 PPG
15 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Cade Stover: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cade Stover is producing at 16% of elite pace and Darnell Washington at 20%. That ranking gap means Darnell Washington carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cade Stover vs Darnell Washington: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Cade Stover and Darnell Washington is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.0 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Cade Stover averaged 3.5 PPG with the Houston Texans across 15 games, and Darnell Washington posted 4.5 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 13.

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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Cade Stover had 22 catches for 215 yards; Darnell Washington posted 31 for 364. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Cade Stover has his bye in Week 14, and Darnell Washington 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Cade Stover (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Darnell Washington (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Darnell Washington outscored Cade Stover by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Cade Stover played 15 games in 2025 compared to Darnell Washington's 13. That durability gap means Cade Stover contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Cade Stover scored 1 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Darnell Washington saw 43 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cade Stover vs Darnell Washington: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCade StoverDarnell Washington
PPG (Half-PPR)3.54.5
Games Played1513
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)5359
Receptions2231
Rec/Game1.52.4
Receiving Yards215364
Rec Yds/Game14.328.0
Receiving TDs11
Targets3243
Target Share/Game2.13.3
Age-24
Experience-2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Darnell Washington holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 4.5 points per game. Cade Stover averaged 3.5 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cade Stover or Darnell Washington in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Darnell Washington has the edge at 4.5 PPG compared to Cade Stover's 3.5 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Cade Stover and Darnell Washington average in 2025?

Cade Stover averaged 3.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Cade Stover and Darnell Washington's bye weeks in 2026?

Cade Stover (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Darnell Washington (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cade Stover or Darnell Washington a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Darnell Washington outscored Cade Stover by 1.0 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.

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