Darnell Washington vs Gunnar Helm: Who Should You Start?
The gap between Darnell Washington and Gunnar Helm is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.8 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Darnell Washington averaged 3.6 PPG with the Pittsburgh Steelers across 16 games, and Gunnar Helm posted 4.4 with the Tennessee Titans in 16.
When two tight ends 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.
Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Darnell Washington had 31 catches for 364 yards; Gunnar Helm posted 44 for 357. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.
Darnell Washington has his bye in Week 9, and Gunnar Helm rests in Week 5. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
