Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Tetairoa McMillanWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tetairoa McMillan 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

Tetairoa McMillan is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Tetairoa McMillan and Deebo Samuel Sr. are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.0-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

WRCarolina Panthers#26PPG LEADER

Tetairoa McMillan

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,014

Rec TDs

Targets

122

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Deebo Samuel Sr.

Tetairoa McMillan

Head to Head

9.5 PPG10.5 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). Tetairoa McMillan: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #26 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Deebo Samuel Sr. is producing at 43% of elite pace and Tetairoa McMillan at 48%. That ranking gap means Tetairoa McMillan carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Tetairoa McMillan: 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 Tetairoa McMillan clocked in at 10.5 across 17 appearances for the Carolina Panthers. A 1.0-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 Tetairoa McMillan converted 122 looks into 1014 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 Tetairoa McMillan Week 5. 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. Tetairoa McMillan (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Tetairoa McMillan outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tetairoa McMillan played 17 games in 2025 compared to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 16. That durability gap means Tetairoa McMillan contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tetairoa McMillan scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Tetairoa McMillan saw 122 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Tetairoa McMillan is 7 years younger than Deebo Samuel Sr. (23 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Tetairoa McMillan: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deebo Samuel Sr.	Tetairoa McMillan
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.5	10.5
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	152	179
Receptions	72	70
Rec/Game	4.5	4.1
Receiving Yards	727	1,014
Rec Yds/Game	45.4	59.6
Receiving TDs	5	7
Targets	99	122
Target Share/Game	6.2	7.2
Age	30	23
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 5

Summary

10.5 PPG for Tetairoa McMillan versus 9.5 for Deebo Samuel Sr. in 2025. The baseline favors Tetairoa McMillan, 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 Tetairoa McMillan in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tetairoa McMillan 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 Tetairoa McMillan average in 2025?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tetairoa McMillan averaged 10.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Deebo Samuel Sr. and Tetairoa McMillan's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deebo Samuel Sr. or Tetairoa McMillan a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Tetairoa McMillan 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.