Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darnell Washington vs Mike GesickiWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Mike Gesicki is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.7 PPG to Darnell Washington's 4.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Mike Gesicki is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Mike Gesicki and Darnell Washington are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.2-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

Rec

Rec Yds

364

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TECincinnati Bengals#36PPG LEADER

Mike Gesicki

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Darnell Washington

Mike Gesicki

Head to Head

4.5 PPG4.7 PPG

13 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Mike Gesicki: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #36 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and Mike Gesicki at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Darnell Washington vs Mike Gesicki: The Full Breakdown

Darnell Washington (4.5 PPG) and Mike Gesicki (4.7 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Darnell Washington played 13 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers; Mike Gesicki suited up 12 times for the Cincinnati Bengals.

A 0.2-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Darnell Washington had 31 catches for 364 yards; Mike Gesicki posted 28 for 307. 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 Mike Gesicki is off Week 6. 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. Mike Gesicki (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Mike Gesicki outscored Darnell Washington by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Darnell Washington played 13 games in 2025 compared to Mike Gesicki's 12. That durability gap means Darnell Washington contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Mike Gesicki scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 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.
•Darnell Washington is 6 years younger than Mike Gesicki (24 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darnell Washington vs Mike Gesicki: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darnell Washington	Mike Gesicki
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.5	4.7
Games Played	13	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	56
Receptions	31	28
Rec/Game	2.4	2.3
Receiving Yards	364	307
Rec Yds/Game	28.0	25.6
Receiving TDs	1	2
Targets	43	42
Target Share/Game	3.3	3.5
Age	24	30
Experience	2 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Mike Gesicki at 4.7 PPG, 0.2 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 Mike Gesicki in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Mike Gesicki has the edge at 4.7 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 Mike Gesicki average in 2025?▾

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Mike Gesicki averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and Mike Gesicki's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darnell Washington (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Mike Gesicki (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Washington or Mike Gesicki a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Mike Gesicki outscored Darnell Washington by 0.2 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.