Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DK Metcalf vs Elic AyomanorWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Elic Ayomanor's 6.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy play this season.

DK Metcalf has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.5-PPG advantage is real (10.5 to 6.0), and DK Metcalf's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. Elic Ayomanor is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRPittsburgh Steelers#25PPG LEADER

DK Metcalf

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

850

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

WRTennessee Titans#99

Elic Ayomanor

PPG

6.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

515

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

DK Metcalf

Elic Ayomanor

Head to Head

10.5 PPG6.0 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Elic Ayomanor: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DK Metcalf is producing at 48% of elite pace and Elic Ayomanor at 27%. That ranking gap means DK Metcalf carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DK Metcalf vs Elic Ayomanor: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. DK Metcalf (Pittsburgh Steelers) finished the 2025 season averaging 10.5 fantasy points per game in 15 games. Elic Ayomanor (Tennessee Titans) came in at 6.0 PPG over 16 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

DK Metcalf carries a 4.5-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. DK Metcalf turned 99 targets into 850 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Elic Ayomanor converted 89 looks into 515 yards and 4 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

DK Metcalf has his bye in Week 9, and Elic Ayomanor rests in Week 5. 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

If you can acquire DK Metcalf at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. Elic Ayomanor is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: DK Metcalf (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Elic Ayomanor (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•DK Metcalf outscored Elic Ayomanor by a projected 77 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Elic Ayomanor played 16 games in 2025 compared to DK Metcalf's 15. That durability gap means Elic Ayomanor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•DK Metcalf scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•DK Metcalf saw 99 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Elic Ayomanor is 6 years younger than DK Metcalf (22 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DK Metcalf vs Elic Ayomanor: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DK Metcalf	Elic Ayomanor
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.5	6.0
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	158	96
Receptions	59	41
Rec/Game	3.9	2.6
Receiving Yards	850	515
Rec Yds/Game	56.7	32.2
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	99	89
Target Share/Game	6.6	5.6
Age	28	22
Experience	6 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, DK Metcalf holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.5 points per game. Elic Ayomanor averaged 6.0 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 DK Metcalf or Elic Ayomanor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DK Metcalf has the edge at 10.5 PPG compared to Elic Ayomanor's 6.0 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 DK Metcalf and Elic Ayomanor average in 2025?▾

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Elic Ayomanor averaged 6.0 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.5 points per game.

When are DK Metcalf and Elic Ayomanor's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Elic Ayomanor (TEN) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DK Metcalf or Elic Ayomanor a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf outscored Elic Ayomanor by 4.5 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.