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Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Darnell Washington or Noah GrayWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Noah Gray over Darnell Washington in 2026.

Noah Gray (4.6 PPG) and Darnell Washington (4.5) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Gray also stayed healthier, playing 17 games to 13, which steadies his weekly floor.

The Bottom Line

Statistically, Noah Gray and Darnell Washington 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#38

Darnell Washington

PPG

4.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

364

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEKansas City ChiefsPPG LEADER

Noah Gray

PPG

4.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

385

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Darnell Washington

Noah Gray

Head to Head

4.5 PPG4.6 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 4 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Noah Gray: Unranked TE. Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and Noah Gray at 21%. Their per-game production is close enough that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Darnell Washington vs Noah Gray: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Darnell Washington finished the 2025 season at 4.5 PPG over 13 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Noah Gray clocked in at 4.6 across 17 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs. A 0.1-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Darnell Washington had 31 catches for 364 yards; Noah Gray posted 38 for 385. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

One scheduling note: Darnell Washington is off Week 9 and Noah Gray Week 6. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Noah Gray (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Noah Gray outscored Darnell Washington by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Noah Gray played 17 games in 2025 compared to Darnell Washington's 13. That durability gap means Noah Gray contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Noah Gray scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Noah Gray saw 50 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 Noah Gray: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darnell Washington	Noah Gray
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.5	4.6
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	78
Receptions	31	38
Rec/Game	2.4	2.2
Receiving Yards	364	385
Rec Yds/Game	28.0	22.6
Receiving TDs	1	2
Targets	43	50
Target Share/Game	3.3	2.9
Age	25	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Noah Gray at 4.6 PPG, 0.1 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 Noah Gray in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Noah Gray has the edge at 4.6 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 Noah Gray in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Noah Gray and Darnell Washington come off the board in the same range, so take whichever fits your roster build. Noah Gray averaged 4.6 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 Noah Gray average in 2025?▾

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Noah Gray averaged 4.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and Noah Gray's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Darnell Washington or Noah Gray a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Noah Gray outscored Darnell Washington 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.