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

Michael Wilson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.7 PPG to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Wilson is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Michael Wilson edges Deebo Samuel Sr. by 1.2 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, Michael Wilson 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
16
Rec
72
Rec Yds
727
Rec TDs
5
Targets
99
Bye
Week 7
WRArizona Cardinals#24PPG LEADER
Michael Wilson
PPG
10.7
Games
17
Rec
78
Rec Yds
1,006
Rec TDs
7
Targets
126
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Deebo Samuel Sr.
Michael Wilson

Head to Head

9.5 PPG10.7 PPG
16 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). Michael Wilson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Deebo Samuel Sr. is producing at 43% of elite pace and Michael Wilson at 49%. That ranking gap means Michael Wilson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Michael Wilson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Deebo Samuel Sr. and Michael Wilson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.2 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 Michael Wilson posted 10.7 with the Arizona Cardinals in 17.

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.

Target volume is the story here. Michael Wilson saw 126 targets in 2025, while Deebo Samuel Sr. drew 99. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Michael Wilson, even in weeks where Deebo Samuel Sr. posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Deebo Samuel Sr. has his bye in Week 7, and Michael Wilson rests in Week 14. 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. Michael Wilson (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Michael Wilson outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Michael Wilson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 16. That durability gap means Michael Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Michael Wilson scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Michael Wilson saw 126 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
  • Michael Wilson is 4 years younger than Deebo Samuel Sr. (26 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Michael Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDeebo Samuel Sr.Michael Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)9.510.7
Games Played1617
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)152182
Receptions7278
Rec/Game4.54.6
Receiving Yards7271,006
Rec Yds/Game45.459.2
Receiving TDs57
Targets99126
Target Share/Game6.27.4
Age3026
Experience6 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 14

Summary

Michael Wilson outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by 1.2 PPG in 2025 (10.7 to 9.5). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Wilson has the edge at 10.7 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 Wilson average in 2025?

Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Michael Wilson averaged 10.7 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

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

Deebo Samuel Sr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Michael Wilson (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

Michael Wilson outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by 1.2 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.