Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

CeeDee Lamb vs DK MetcalfWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

CeeDee Lamb is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.6 PPG to DK Metcalf's 10.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

CeeDee Lamb is the better fantasy play this season.

CeeDee Lamb has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.1-PPG advantage is real (12.6 to 10.5), and CeeDee Lamb's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. DK Metcalf 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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WRDallas Cowboys#11PPG LEADER

CeeDee Lamb

PPG

12.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,077

Rec TDs

Targets

117

Bye

Week 14

WRPittsburgh Steelers#25

DK Metcalf

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

850

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

CeeDee Lamb

DK Metcalf

Head to Head

12.6 PPG10.5 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

CeeDee Lamb: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #11 at the position). DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, CeeDee Lamb is producing at 57% of elite pace and DK Metcalf at 48%. That ranking gap means CeeDee Lamb carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

CeeDee Lamb vs DK Metcalf: The Full Breakdown

CeeDee Lamb and DK Metcalf are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. CeeDee Lamb averaged 12.6 PPG across 13 games with the Dallas Cowboys, while DK Metcalf posted 10.5 PPG in 15 appearances for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A 2.1-PPG gap gives CeeDee Lamb the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. CeeDee Lamb turned 117 targets into 1077 yards and 3 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: CeeDee Lamb sits Week 14 while DK Metcalf is off Week 9. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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: CeeDee Lamb (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?

•CeeDee Lamb outscored DK Metcalf by a projected 36 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DK Metcalf played 15 games in 2025 compared to CeeDee Lamb's 13. 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.
•CeeDee Lamb saw 117 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

CeeDee Lamb vs DK Metcalf: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	CeeDee Lamb	DK Metcalf
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.6	10.5
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	164	158
Receptions	75	59
Rec/Game	5.8	3.9
Receiving Yards	1,077	850
Rec Yds/Game	82.8	56.7
Receiving TDs	3	6
Targets	117	99
Target Share/Game	9.0	6.6
Age	27	28
Experience	5 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 9

Summary

CeeDee Lamb outscored DK Metcalf by 2.1 PPG in 2025 (12.6 to 10.5). 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 CeeDee Lamb or DK Metcalf in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, CeeDee Lamb has the edge at 12.6 PPG compared to DK Metcalf's 10.5 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 CeeDee Lamb and DK Metcalf average in 2025?▾

CeeDee Lamb averaged 12.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.1 points per game.

When are CeeDee Lamb and DK Metcalf's bye weeks in 2026?▾

CeeDee Lamb (DAL) has a bye in Week 14, and DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is CeeDee Lamb or DK Metcalf a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

CeeDee Lamb outscored DK Metcalf by 2.1 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.