Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs DK MetcalfWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. DK Metcalf edges Deebo Samuel Sr. by 1.0 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, DK Metcalf goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRWashington Commanders#36

Deebo Samuel Sr.

PPG

9.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

727

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

WRPittsburgh Steelers#25PPG LEADER

DK Metcalf

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

850

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Deebo Samuel Sr.

DK Metcalf

Head to Head

9.5 PPG10.5 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Deebo Samuel Sr. is producing at 43% of elite pace and DK Metcalf at 48%. That ranking gap means DK Metcalf carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs DK Metcalf: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Deebo Samuel Sr. and DK Metcalf is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.0 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 PPG with the Washington Commanders across 16 games, and DK Metcalf posted 10.5 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 15.

When two wide receivers 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 are workload receivers with similar target shares. Deebo Samuel Sr. turned 99 targets into 727 yards and 5 touchdowns, while DK Metcalf converted 99 looks into 850 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Deebo Samuel Sr. has his bye in Week 7, and DK Metcalf rests in Week 9. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver 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: Deebo Samuel Sr. (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. DK Metcalf (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•DK Metcalf outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Deebo Samuel Sr. played 16 games in 2025 compared to DK Metcalf's 15. That durability gap means Deebo Samuel Sr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•DK Metcalf scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•DK Metcalf saw 99 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs DK Metcalf: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deebo Samuel Sr.	DK Metcalf
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.5	10.5
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	152	158
Receptions	72	59
Rec/Game	4.5	3.9
Receiving Yards	727	850
Rec Yds/Game	45.4	56.7
Receiving TDs	5	6
Targets	99	99
Target Share/Game	6.2	6.6
Age	30	28
Experience	6 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, DK Metcalf holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.5 points per game. Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Deebo Samuel Sr. or DK Metcalf in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DK Metcalf has the edge at 10.5 PPG compared to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5 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 Deebo Samuel Sr. and DK Metcalf average in 2025?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Deebo Samuel Sr. and DK Metcalf's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deebo Samuel Sr. or DK Metcalf a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by 1.0 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.