Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cedric Tillman vs DK MetcalfWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Cedric Tillman's 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy play this season.

DK Metcalf has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.3-PPG advantage is real (10.5 to 8.2), and DK Metcalf's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. Cedric Tillman is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRCleveland Browns#99

Cedric Tillman

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

612

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

WRPittsburgh Steelers#25PPG LEADER

DK Metcalf

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

850

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Cedric Tillman

DK Metcalf

Head to Head

8.2 PPG10.5 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Cedric Tillman: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Cedric Tillman is producing at 37% of elite pace and DK Metcalf at 48%. That ranking gap means DK Metcalf carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cedric Tillman vs DK Metcalf: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Cedric Tillman (Cleveland Browns) finished the 2025 season averaging 8.2 fantasy points per game in 14 games. DK Metcalf (Pittsburgh Steelers) came in at 10.5 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

DK Metcalf carries a 2.3-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Cedric Tillman turned 78 targets into 612 yards and 4 touchdowns, while DK Metcalf converted 99 looks into 850 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Cedric Tillman is off Week 10 and DK Metcalf Week 9. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Cedric Tillman (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. DK Metcalf (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•DK Metcalf outscored Cedric Tillman by a projected 39 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DK Metcalf played 15 games in 2025 compared to Cedric Tillman's 14. That durability gap means DK Metcalf contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•DK Metcalf scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•DK Metcalf saw 99 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cedric Tillman vs DK Metcalf: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cedric Tillman	DK Metcalf
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	10.5
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	158
Receptions	50	59
Rec/Game	3.6	3.9
Receiving Yards	612	850
Rec Yds/Game	43.7	56.7
Receiving TDs	4	6
Targets	78	99
Target Share/Game	5.6	6.6
Age	-	28
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, DK Metcalf holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.5 points per game. Cedric Tillman averaged 8.2 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 Cedric Tillman or DK Metcalf in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DK Metcalf has the edge at 10.5 PPG compared to Cedric Tillman's 8.2 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 Cedric Tillman and DK Metcalf average in 2025?▾

Cedric Tillman averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.3 points per game.

When are Cedric Tillman and DK Metcalf's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cedric Tillman (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cedric Tillman or DK Metcalf a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf outscored Cedric Tillman by 2.3 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.