Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DK Metcalf vs Kayshon BoutteWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Kayshon Boutte's 7.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy play this season.

DK Metcalf is the better play on a neutral week. 10.5 PPG with 862 yards gives a reliable baseline. Kayshon Boutte at 7.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft DK Metcalf higher, but do not fade Kayshon Boutte entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track DK Metcalf and Kayshon Boutte in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRPittsburgh Steelers#25PPG LEADER

DK Metcalf

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

850

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

WRNew England Patriots#53

Kayshon Boutte

PPG

7.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

551

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

DK Metcalf

Kayshon Boutte

Head to Head

10.5 PPG7.7 PPG

15 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Kayshon Boutte: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #53 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DK Metcalf is producing at 48% of elite pace and Kayshon Boutte at 35%. That ranking gap means DK Metcalf carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DK Metcalf vs Kayshon Boutte: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between DK Metcalf and Kayshon Boutte for your lineup, you are not alone. DK Metcalf finished the 2025 season at 10.5 PPG for the Pittsburgh Steelers (15 games), and Kayshon Boutte averaged 7.7 for the New England Patriots (14 games).

That 2.8-point weekly advantage for DK Metcalf is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Target volume is the story here. DK Metcalf saw 99 targets in 2025, while Kayshon Boutte drew 46. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DK Metcalf, even in weeks where Kayshon Boutte posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: DK Metcalf sits Week 9 while Kayshon Boutte is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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. Kayshon Boutte (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•DK Metcalf outscored Kayshon Boutte by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DK Metcalf played 15 games in 2025 compared to Kayshon Boutte's 14. That durability gap means DK Metcalf 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.
•Kayshon Boutte is 4 years younger than DK Metcalf (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DK Metcalf vs Kayshon Boutte: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DK Metcalf	Kayshon Boutte
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.5	7.7
Games Played	15	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	158	108
Receptions	59	33
Rec/Game	3.9	2.4
Receiving Yards	850	551
Rec Yds/Game	56.7	39.4
Receiving TDs	6	6
Targets	99	46
Target Share/Game	6.6	3.3
Age	28	24
Experience	6 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DK Metcalf at 10.5 PPG, 2.8 points per game above Kayshon Boutte's 7.7. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on DK Metcalf vs Kayshon Boutte

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on DK Metcalf vs Kayshon Boutte

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DK Metcalf or Kayshon Boutte in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DK Metcalf has the edge at 10.5 PPG compared to Kayshon Boutte's 7.7 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 Kayshon Boutte average in 2025?▾

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Kayshon Boutte averaged 7.7 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.8 points per game.

When are DK Metcalf and Kayshon Boutte's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Kayshon Boutte (NE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DK Metcalf or Kayshon Boutte a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf outscored Kayshon Boutte by 2.8 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.