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Head to Head

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Darnell Washington vs Mason TaylorWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Mason Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.1 PPG to Darnell Washington's 4.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Mason Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Mason Taylor and Darnell Washington are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-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
TENew York Jets#34PPG LEADER
Mason Taylor
PPG
5.1
Games
13
Rec
44
Rec Yds
369
Rec TDs
1
Targets
65
Bye
Week 13

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Darnell Washington
Mason Taylor

Head to Head

4.5 PPG5.1 PPG
13 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Mason Taylor: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #34 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and Mason Taylor at 23%. That ranking gap means Mason Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darnell Washington vs Mason Taylor: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Darnell Washington and Mason Taylor is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.6 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 Mason Taylor posted 5.1 with the New York Jets in 13.

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; Mason Taylor posted 44 for 369. 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 Mason Taylor rests in Week 13. 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 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Mason Taylor (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Mason Taylor outscored Darnell Washington by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Darnell Washington scored 1 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Mason Taylor saw 65 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 Mason Taylor: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDarnell WashingtonMason Taylor
PPG (Half-PPR)4.55.1
Games Played1313
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)5966
Receptions3144
Rec/Game2.43.4
Receiving Yards364369
Rec Yds/Game28.028.4
Receiving TDs11
Targets4365
Target Share/Game3.35.0
Age2422
Experience2 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 9Week 13

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Mason Taylor at 5.1 PPG, 0.6 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 Mason Taylor in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Mason Taylor has the edge at 5.1 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 Mason Taylor average in 2025?

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Mason Taylor averaged 5.1 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and Mason Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?

Darnell Washington (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Mason Taylor (NYJ) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Washington or Mason Taylor a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Mason Taylor outscored Darnell Washington by 0.6 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.