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Head to Head

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Cedric Tillman vs Troy FranklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Troy Franklin is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.5 PPG to Cedric Tillman's 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Troy Franklin is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Troy Franklin edges Cedric Tillman by 0.3 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, Troy Franklin 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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WRCleveland Browns#99
Cedric Tillman
PPG
8.2
Games
14
Rec
50
Rec Yds
612
Rec TDs
4
Targets
78
Bye
Week 10
WRDenver Broncos#44PPG LEADER
Troy Franklin
PPG
8.5
Games
17
Rec
65
Rec Yds
709
Rec TDs
6
Targets
104
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cedric Tillman
Troy Franklin

Head to Head

8.2 PPG8.5 PPG
14 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Cedric Tillman: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Troy Franklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #44 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Cedric Tillman is producing at 37% of elite pace and Troy Franklin at 39%. That ranking gap means Troy Franklin carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cedric Tillman vs Troy Franklin: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Cedric Tillman and Troy Franklin is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.3 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Cedric Tillman averaged 8.2 PPG with the Cleveland Browns across 14 games, and Troy Franklin posted 8.5 with the Denver Broncos in 17.

When two wide receivers 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.

Target volume is the story here. Troy Franklin saw 104 targets in 2025, while Cedric Tillman drew 78. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Troy Franklin, even in weeks where Cedric Tillman posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 10 bye. That means you need a backup plan at wide receiver for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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. Troy Franklin (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Troy Franklin outscored Cedric Tillman by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Troy Franklin played 17 games in 2025 compared to Cedric Tillman's 14. That durability gap means Troy Franklin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Troy Franklin scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Troy Franklin saw 104 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
  • Both players share a Week 10 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cedric Tillman vs Troy Franklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCedric TillmanTroy Franklin
PPG (Half-PPR)8.28.5
Games Played1417
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)115145
Receptions5065
Rec/Game3.63.8
Receiving Yards612709
Rec Yds/Game43.741.7
Receiving TDs46
Targets78104
Target Share/Game5.66.1
Age-23
Experience-1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 10

Summary

Troy Franklin outscored Cedric Tillman by 0.3 PPG in 2025 (8.5 to 8.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cedric Tillman or Troy Franklin in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Troy Franklin has the edge at 8.5 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 Troy Franklin average in 2025?

Cedric Tillman averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

Do Cedric Tillman and Troy Franklin share a bye week?

Yes, both Cedric Tillman and Troy Franklin share a Week 10 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.

Is Cedric Tillman or Troy Franklin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Troy Franklin outscored Cedric Tillman by 0.3 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.