Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Chig Okonkwo vs Darnell WashingtonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Chig Okonkwo is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.6 PPG to Darnell Washington's 4.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Chig Okonkwo is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Chig Okonkwo and Darnell Washington are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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TETennessee Titans#31PPG LEADER

Chig Okonkwo

PPG

5.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

560

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEPittsburgh Steelers#38

Darnell Washington

PPG

4.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

364

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Chig Okonkwo

Darnell Washington

Head to Head

5.6 PPG4.5 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Chig Okonkwo: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #31 at the position). Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Chig Okonkwo is producing at 25% of elite pace and Darnell Washington at 20%. That ranking gap means Chig Okonkwo carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Chig Okonkwo vs Darnell Washington: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Chig Okonkwo finished the 2025 season at 5.6 PPG over 17 games with the Tennessee Titans, while Darnell Washington clocked in at 4.5 across 13 appearances for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A 1.1-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Chig Okonkwo is the volume tight end in this matchup with 56 receptions for 560 yards, while Darnell Washington profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 31 catches). In weeks where Darnell Washington finds the end zone he out-scores Chig Okonkwo, but the floor gap is real.

Both share a Week 9 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

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: Chig Okonkwo (age 26) 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?

•Chig Okonkwo outscored Darnell Washington by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Chig Okonkwo played 17 games in 2025 compared to Darnell Washington's 13. That durability gap means Chig Okonkwo contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Chig Okonkwo scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Chig Okonkwo saw 79 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Both players share a Week 9 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chig Okonkwo vs Darnell Washington: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Chig Okonkwo	Darnell Washington
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.6	4.5
Games Played	17	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	95	59
Receptions	56	31
Rec/Game	3.3	2.4
Receiving Yards	560	364
Rec Yds/Game	32.9	28.0
Receiving TDs	2	1
Targets	79	43
Target Share/Game	4.6	3.3
Age	26	24
Experience	3 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 9

Summary

5.6 PPG for Chig Okonkwo versus 4.5 for Darnell Washington in 2025. The baseline favors Chig Okonkwo, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Chig Okonkwo or Darnell Washington in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Chig Okonkwo has the edge at 5.6 PPG compared to Darnell Washington's 4.5 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 Chig Okonkwo and Darnell Washington average in 2025?▾

Chig Okonkwo averaged 5.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

Do Chig Okonkwo and Darnell Washington share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Chig Okonkwo and Darnell Washington share a Week 9 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Chig Okonkwo or Darnell Washington a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Chig Okonkwo outscored Darnell Washington by 1.1 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.