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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Darnell Washington or Luke MusgraveWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Luke Musgrave over Darnell Washington in 2026.

Luke Musgrave (4.8 PPG) and Darnell Washington (4.5) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Both play tight ends, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

Statistically, Luke Musgrave and Darnell Washington are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-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#38
Darnell Washington
PPG
4.5
Games
13
Rec
31
Rec Yds
364
Rec TDs
1
Targets
43
Bye
Week 9
TEGreen Bay PackersPPG LEADER
Luke Musgrave
PPG
4.8
Games
14
Rec
30
Rec Yds
335
Rec TDs
2
Targets
42
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Darnell Washington
Luke Musgrave

Head to Head

4.5 PPG4.8 PPG
13 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 4 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Luke Musgrave: Unranked TE. Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and Luke Musgrave at 22%. Their per-game production is close enough that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Darnell Washington vs Luke Musgrave: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Darnell Washington and Luke Musgrave is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.3 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 Luke Musgrave posted 4.8 with the Green Bay Packers in 14.

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; Luke Musgrave posted 30 for 335. 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 Luke Musgrave rests in Week 10. 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.

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 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Luke Musgrave (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Luke Musgrave outscored Darnell Washington by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Luke Musgrave played 14 games in 2025 compared to Darnell Washington's 13. That durability gap means Luke Musgrave contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Luke Musgrave scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Darnell Washington saw 43 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darnell Washington vs Luke Musgrave: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDarnell WashingtonLuke Musgrave
PPG (Half-PPR)4.54.8
Games Played1314
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)5967
Receptions3130
Rec/Game2.42.1
Receiving Yards364335
Rec Yds/Game28.023.9
Receiving TDs12
Targets4342
Target Share/Game3.33.0
Age25-
Experience2 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 9Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Luke Musgrave at 4.8 PPG, 0.3 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 Luke Musgrave in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Luke Musgrave has the edge at 4.8 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.

Should I draft Darnell Washington or Luke Musgrave in 2026 fantasy football?

Luke Musgrave and Darnell Washington come off the board in the same range, so take whichever fits your roster build. Luke Musgrave averaged 4.8 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Darnell Washington's 4.5, a gap of under a point. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Darnell Washington and Luke Musgrave average in 2025?

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Luke Musgrave averaged 4.8 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and Luke Musgrave's bye weeks in 2026?

Darnell Washington (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Luke Musgrave (GB) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Washington or Luke Musgrave a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Luke Musgrave outscored Darnell Washington by 0.3 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.