DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

David Njoku vs Pat FreiermuthWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

David Njoku is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.3 PPG to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

David Njoku is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, David Njoku and Pat Freiermuth 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track David Njoku and Pat Freiermuth in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
TECleveland Browns#26PPG LEADER
David Njoku
PPG
6.3
Games
11
Rec
33
Rec Yds
293
Rec TDs
4
Targets
48
Bye
Week 11
TEPittsburgh Steelers#28
Pat Freiermuth
PPG
6.2
Games
15
Rec
41
Rec Yds
486
Rec TDs
4
Targets
54
Bye
Week 9

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
David Njoku
Pat Freiermuth

Head to Head

6.3 PPG6.2 PPG
11 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

David Njoku: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #26 at the position). Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, David Njoku is producing at 29% of elite pace and Pat Freiermuth at 28%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

David Njoku vs Pat Freiermuth: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. David Njoku finished the 2025 season at 6.3 PPG over 11 games with the Cleveland Browns, while Pat Freiermuth clocked in at 6.2 across 15 appearances for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 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. David Njoku had 33 catches for 293 yards; Pat Freiermuth posted 41 for 486. 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: David Njoku is off Week 11 and Pat Freiermuth Week 9. 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: David Njoku (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • David Njoku outscored Pat Freiermuth by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Pat Freiermuth played 15 games in 2025 compared to David Njoku's 11. That durability gap means Pat Freiermuth contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • David Njoku scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Pat Freiermuth saw 54 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

David Njoku vs Pat Freiermuth: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDavid NjokuPat Freiermuth
PPG (Half-PPR)6.36.2
Games Played1115
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)6993
Receptions3341
Rec/Game3.02.7
Receiving Yards293486
Rec Yds/Game26.632.4
Receiving TDs44
Targets4854
Target Share/Game4.43.6
Age2927
Experience8 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 9

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor David Njoku at 6.3 PPG, 0.1 points per game above Pat Freiermuth's 6.2. 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on David Njoku vs Pat Freiermuth

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on David Njoku vs Pat Freiermuth

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start David Njoku or Pat Freiermuth in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, David Njoku has the edge at 6.3 PPG compared to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 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 David Njoku and Pat Freiermuth average in 2025?

David Njoku averaged 6.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are David Njoku and Pat Freiermuth's bye weeks in 2026?

David Njoku (CLE) has a bye in Week 11, and Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is David Njoku or Pat Freiermuth a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

David Njoku outscored Pat Freiermuth 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.

Fantasy Managers Also Compared

Similar matchups other managers are researching right now.