Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Terry McLaurinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Deebo Samuel Sr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.5 PPG to Terry McLaurin's 9.5 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 Terry McLaurin by 0.0 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, 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

Rec

Rec Yds

727

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

WRWashington Commanders#35

Terry McLaurin

PPG

9.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

582

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Deebo Samuel Sr.

Terry McLaurin

Head to Head

9.5 PPG9.5 PPG

16 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). Terry McLaurin: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Deebo Samuel Sr. is producing at 43% of elite pace and Terry McLaurin at 43%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Terry McLaurin: The Full Breakdown

Deebo Samuel Sr. (9.5 PPG) and Terry McLaurin (9.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Deebo Samuel Sr. played 16 games for the Washington Commanders; Terry McLaurin suited up 10 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 0.0-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Target volume is the story here. Deebo Samuel Sr. saw 99 targets in 2025, while Terry McLaurin drew 60. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Deebo Samuel Sr., even in weeks where Terry McLaurin posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 7 bye. That means you need a backup plan at wide receiver for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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. Terry McLaurin (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Deebo Samuel Sr. outscored Terry McLaurin by a projected 0 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Deebo Samuel Sr. played 16 games in 2025 compared to Terry McLaurin's 10. 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.
•Both players share a Week 7 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Terry McLaurin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deebo Samuel Sr.	Terry McLaurin
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.5	9.5
Games Played	16	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	152	95
Receptions	72	38
Rec/Game	4.5	3.8
Receiving Yards	727	582
Rec Yds/Game	45.4	58.2
Receiving TDs	5	3
Targets	99	60
Target Share/Game	6.2	6.0
Age	30	30
Experience	6 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

Deebo Samuel Sr. outscored Terry McLaurin by 0.0 PPG in 2025 (9.5 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 Terry McLaurin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Deebo Samuel Sr. has the edge at 9.5 PPG compared to Terry McLaurin'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 Terry McLaurin average in 2025?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Terry McLaurin averaged 9.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.0 points per game.

Do Deebo Samuel Sr. and Terry McLaurin share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Deebo Samuel Sr. and Terry McLaurin share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.

Is Deebo Samuel Sr. or Terry McLaurin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. outscored Terry McLaurin by 0.0 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.