Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Colby Parkinson vs Pat FreiermuthWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.7 PPG to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy play this season.

Colby Parkinson has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.5-PPG advantage is real (7.7 to 6.2), and Colby Parkinson's 8 touchdowns show scoring upside. Pat Freiermuth is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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TELos Angeles Rams#21PPG LEADER

Colby Parkinson

PPG

7.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

408

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TEPittsburgh Steelers#28

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Colby Parkinson

Pat Freiermuth

Head to Head

7.7 PPG6.2 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Colby Parkinson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #21 at the position). Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Colby Parkinson is producing at 35% of elite pace and Pat Freiermuth at 28%. That ranking gap means Colby Parkinson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Colby Parkinson vs Pat Freiermuth: The Full Breakdown

Colby Parkinson and Pat Freiermuth are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 PPG across 14 games with the Los Angeles Rams, while Pat Freiermuth posted 6.2 PPG in 15 appearances for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A 1.5-PPG gap gives Colby Parkinson 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 see steady target volume for the tight end position. Colby Parkinson had 43 catches for 408 yards; Pat Freiermuth posted 41 for 486. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Colby Parkinson sits Week 11 while Pat Freiermuth 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: Colby Parkinson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Colby Parkinson outscored Pat Freiermuth by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Pat Freiermuth played 15 games in 2025 compared to Colby Parkinson's 14. That durability gap means Pat Freiermuth contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Colby Parkinson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Colby Parkinson saw 56 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Colby Parkinson vs Pat Freiermuth: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Colby Parkinson	Pat Freiermuth
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.7	6.2
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	108	93
Receptions	43	41
Rec/Game	3.1	2.7
Receiving Yards	408	486
Rec Yds/Game	29.1	32.4
Receiving TDs	8	4
Targets	56	54
Target Share/Game	4.0	3.6
Age	27	27
Experience	5 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 9

Summary

Colby Parkinson outscored Pat Freiermuth by 1.5 PPG in 2025 (7.7 to 6.2). 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 Colby Parkinson or Pat Freiermuth in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Colby Parkinson has the edge at 7.7 PPG compared to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 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 Colby Parkinson and Pat Freiermuth average in 2025?▾

Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are Colby Parkinson and Pat Freiermuth's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Colby Parkinson (LAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Colby Parkinson or Pat Freiermuth a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Colby Parkinson outscored Pat Freiermuth by 1.5 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.