Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DK Metcalf vs Jake FergusonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Jake Ferguson's 8.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, DK Metcalf (10.5 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Jake Ferguson (8.7 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRPittsburgh Steelers#25PPG LEADER

DK Metcalf

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

850

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEDallas Cowboys#14

Jake Ferguson

PPG

8.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

600

Rec TDs

Targets

102

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

DK Metcalf

Jake Ferguson

Head to Head

10.5 PPG8.7 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Jake Ferguson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #14 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE in most league formats.

DK Metcalf vs Jake Ferguson: The Full Breakdown

Comparing DK Metcalf (WR, Pittsburgh Steelers) against Jake Ferguson (TE, Dallas Cowboys) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Jake Ferguson posted 8.7 PPG across 17 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

DK Metcalf has his bye in Week 9, Jake Ferguson in Week 14. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

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: DK Metcalf (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Jake Ferguson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•DK Metcalf outscored Jake Ferguson by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jake Ferguson played 17 games in 2025 compared to DK Metcalf's 15. That durability gap means Jake Ferguson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jake Ferguson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jake Ferguson saw 102 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DK Metcalf vs Jake Ferguson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DK Metcalf	Jake Ferguson
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.5	8.7
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	158	148
Receptions	59	82
Rec/Game	3.9	4.8
Receiving Yards	850	600
Rec Yds/Game	56.7	35.3
Receiving TDs	6	8
Targets	99	102
Target Share/Game	6.6	6.0
Age	28	27
Experience	6 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 14

Summary

10.5 PPG for DK Metcalf versus 8.7 for Jake Ferguson in 2025. The baseline favors DK Metcalf, 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 DK Metcalf or Jake Ferguson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DK Metcalf has the edge at 10.5 PPG compared to Jake Ferguson'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 DK Metcalf and Jake Ferguson average in 2025?▾

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are DK Metcalf and Jake Ferguson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Jake Ferguson (DAL) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.