Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darnell Washington vs Gunnar HelmWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darnell Washington is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.5 PPG to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darnell Washington is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Darnell Washington and Gunnar Helm are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-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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TEPittsburgh Steelers#38PPG LEADER

Darnell Washington

PPG

4.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

364

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TETennessee Titans#40

Gunnar Helm

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

357

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Darnell Washington

Gunnar Helm

Head to Head

4.5 PPG4.4 PPG

13 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and Gunnar Helm at 20%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Darnell Washington vs Gunnar Helm: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Darnell Washington and Gunnar Helm is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 PPG with the Pittsburgh Steelers across 13 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.

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: Darnell Washington (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Gunnar Helm (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Darnell Washington outscored Gunnar Helm by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to Darnell Washington's 13. That durability gap means Gunnar Helm contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Gunnar Helm scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Gunnar Helm saw 55 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

Darnell Washington vs Gunnar Helm: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darnell Washington	Gunnar Helm
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.5	4.4
Games Played	13	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	70
Receptions	31	44
Rec/Game	2.4	2.8
Receiving Yards	364	357
Rec Yds/Game	28.0	22.3
Receiving TDs	1	2
Targets	43	55
Target Share/Game	3.3	3.4
Age	24	23
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 9

Summary

4.5 PPG for Darnell Washington versus 4.4 for Gunnar Helm in 2025. The baseline favors Darnell Washington, 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 Darnell Washington or Gunnar Helm in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Darnell Washington has the edge at 4.5 PPG compared to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 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 Gunnar Helm average in 2025?▾

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

Do Darnell Washington and Gunnar Helm share a bye week?▾

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

Is Darnell Washington or Gunnar Helm a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Darnell Washington outscored Gunnar Helm by 0.1 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.