Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Troy FranklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Deebo Samuel Sr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.5 PPG to Troy Franklin's 8.5 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 Troy Franklin by 1.0 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

WRDenver Broncos#44

Troy Franklin

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

709

Rec TDs

Targets

104

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Deebo Samuel Sr.

Troy Franklin

Head to Head

9.5 PPG8.5 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). Troy Franklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #44 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Deebo Samuel Sr. is producing at 43% of elite pace and Troy Franklin at 39%. That ranking gap means Deebo Samuel Sr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Troy Franklin: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Deebo Samuel Sr. and Troy Franklin is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.0 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 Troy Franklin posted 8.5 with the Denver Broncos 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.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Deebo Samuel Sr. turned 99 targets into 727 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Troy Franklin converted 104 looks into 709 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Deebo Samuel Sr. has his bye in Week 7, and Troy Franklin rests in Week 10. 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. Troy Franklin (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Deebo Samuel Sr. outscored Troy Franklin by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Troy Franklin played 17 games in 2025 compared to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 16. That durability gap means Troy Franklin 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.
•Troy Franklin saw 104 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Troy Franklin 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 Troy Franklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deebo Samuel Sr.	Troy Franklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.5	8.5
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	152	145
Receptions	72	65
Rec/Game	4.5	3.8
Receiving Yards	727	709
Rec Yds/Game	45.4	41.7
Receiving TDs	5	6
Targets	99	104
Target Share/Game	6.2	6.1
Age	30	23
Experience	6 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 10

Summary

Deebo Samuel Sr. outscored Troy Franklin by 1.0 PPG in 2025 (9.5 to 8.5). 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 Troy Franklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Deebo Samuel Sr. has the edge at 9.5 PPG compared to Troy Franklin's 8.5 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 Troy Franklin average in 2025?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Deebo Samuel Sr. and Troy Franklin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Deebo Samuel Sr. or Troy Franklin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. outscored Troy Franklin 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.