Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darnell Washington vs David NjokuWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

David Njoku is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.3 PPG to Darnell Washington's 4.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

David Njoku is the better fantasy play this season.

David Njoku is the better play on a neutral week. 6.3 PPG with 293 yards gives a reliable baseline. Darnell Washington at 4.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft David Njoku higher, but do not fade Darnell Washington entirely.

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

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TEPittsburgh Steelers#38

Darnell Washington

PPG

4.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

364

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TECleveland Browns#26PPG LEADER

David Njoku

PPG

6.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

293

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Darnell Washington

David Njoku

Head to Head

4.5 PPG6.3 PPG

13 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). David Njoku: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #26 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and David Njoku at 29%. That ranking gap means David Njoku carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darnell Washington vs David Njoku: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Darnell Washington and David Njoku for your lineup, you are not alone. Darnell Washington finished the 2025 season at 4.5 PPG for the Pittsburgh Steelers (13 games), and David Njoku averaged 6.3 for the Cleveland Browns (11 games).

That 1.8-point weekly advantage for David Njoku is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Darnell Washington had 31 catches for 364 yards; David Njoku posted 33 for 293. 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: Darnell Washington sits Week 9 while David Njoku is off Week 11. 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: Darnell Washington (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. David Njoku (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•David Njoku outscored Darnell Washington by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Darnell Washington played 13 games in 2025 compared to David Njoku's 11. That durability gap means Darnell Washington contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•David Njoku scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•David Njoku saw 48 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Darnell Washington is 5 years younger than David Njoku (24 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darnell Washington vs David Njoku: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darnell Washington	David Njoku
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.5	6.3
Games Played	13	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	69
Receptions	31	33
Rec/Game	2.4	3.0
Receiving Yards	364	293
Rec Yds/Game	28.0	26.6
Receiving TDs	1	4
Targets	43	48
Target Share/Game	3.3	4.4
Age	24	29
Experience	2 yrs	8 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor David Njoku at 6.3 PPG, 1.8 points per game above Darnell Washington's 4.5. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Darnell Washington or David Njoku in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, David Njoku has the edge at 6.3 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 Darnell Washington and David Njoku average in 2025?▾

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. David Njoku averaged 6.3 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and David Njoku's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darnell Washington (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and David Njoku (CLE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Washington or David Njoku a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

David Njoku outscored Darnell Washington by 1.8 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.