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Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Mike EvansWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Deebo Samuel Sr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.5 PPG to Mike Evans's 8.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Deebo Samuel Sr. is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Deebo Samuel Sr. edges Mike Evans by 0.8 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, Deebo Samuel Sr. 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#36PPG LEADER
Deebo Samuel Sr.
PPG
9.5
Games
16
Rec
72
Rec Yds
727
Rec TDs
5
Targets
99
Bye
Week 7
WRTampa Bay Buccaneers#40
Mike Evans
PPG
8.7
Games
8
Rec
30
Rec Yds
368
Rec TDs
3
Targets
62
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Deebo Samuel Sr.
Mike Evans

Head to Head

9.5 PPG8.7 PPG
16 GP8 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). Mike Evans: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Deebo Samuel Sr. is producing at 43% of elite pace and Mike Evans at 40%. That ranking gap means Deebo Samuel Sr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Mike Evans: 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 Mike Evans clocked in at 8.7 across 8 appearances for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A 0.8-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.

Target volume is the story here. Deebo Samuel Sr. saw 99 targets in 2025, while Mike Evans drew 62. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Deebo Samuel Sr., even in weeks where Mike Evans posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Deebo Samuel Sr. is off Week 7 and Mike Evans Week 10. 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. Mike Evans (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

  • Deebo Samuel Sr. outscored Mike Evans by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Deebo Samuel Sr. played 16 games in 2025 compared to Mike Evans's 8. That durability gap means Deebo Samuel Sr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Deebo Samuel Sr. scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Deebo Samuel Sr. 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 Mike Evans: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDeebo Samuel Sr.Mike Evans
PPG (Half-PPR)9.58.7
Games Played168
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)15270
Receptions7230
Rec/Game4.53.8
Receiving Yards727368
Rec Yds/Game45.446.0
Receiving TDs53
Targets9962
Target Share/Game6.27.8
Age3032
Experience6 yrs11 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Deebo Samuel Sr. holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.5 points per game. Mike Evans averaged 8.7 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 Mike Evans in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Deebo Samuel Sr. has the edge at 9.5 PPG compared to Mike Evans's 8.7 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 Mike Evans average in 2025?

Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Mike Evans averaged 8.7 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Deebo Samuel Sr. and Mike Evans's bye weeks in 2026?

Deebo Samuel Sr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Mike Evans (TB) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deebo Samuel Sr. or Mike Evans a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Deebo Samuel Sr. outscored Mike Evans by 0.8 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.