Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Michael PittmanWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Pittman is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Pittman is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Michael Pittman and Deebo Samuel Sr. 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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WRWashington Commanders#36

Deebo Samuel Sr.

PPG

9.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

727

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

WRIndianapolis Colts#33PPG LEADER

Michael Pittman

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

784

Rec TDs

Targets

111

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Deebo Samuel Sr.

Michael Pittman

Head to Head

9.5 PPG9.6 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). Michael Pittman: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Deebo Samuel Sr. is producing at 43% of elite pace and Michael Pittman at 44%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Michael Pittman: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Deebo Samuel Sr. finished the 2025 season at 9.5 PPG over 16 games with the Washington Commanders, while Michael Pittman clocked in at 9.6 across 17 appearances for the Indianapolis Colts. 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 are workload receivers with similar target shares. Deebo Samuel Sr. turned 99 targets into 727 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Michael Pittman converted 111 looks into 784 yards and 7 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Deebo Samuel Sr. is off Week 7 and Michael Pittman Week 13. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver 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: Deebo Samuel Sr. (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Michael Pittman (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Michael Pittman outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Pittman played 17 games in 2025 compared to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 16. That durability gap means Michael Pittman contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Michael Pittman scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Michael Pittman saw 111 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 Michael Pittman: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deebo Samuel Sr.	Michael Pittman
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.5	9.6
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	152	163
Receptions	72	80
Rec/Game	4.5	4.7
Receiving Yards	727	784
Rec Yds/Game	45.4	46.1
Receiving TDs	5	7
Targets	99	111
Target Share/Game	6.2	6.5
Age	30	28
Experience	6 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 13

Summary

9.6 PPG for Michael Pittman versus 9.5 for Deebo Samuel Sr. in 2025. The baseline favors Michael Pittman, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Deebo Samuel Sr. or Michael Pittman in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Pittman has the edge at 9.6 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 Michael Pittman average in 2025?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Deebo Samuel Sr. and Michael Pittman's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Michael Pittman (IND) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deebo Samuel Sr. or Michael Pittman a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Michael Pittman outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. 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.