Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DK Metcalf vs Pat FreiermuthWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 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. Pat Freiermuth (6.2 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.

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

TEPittsburgh Steelers#28

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

DK Metcalf

Pat Freiermuth

Head to Head

10.5 PPG6.2 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 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 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE in most league formats.

DK Metcalf vs Pat Freiermuth: The Full Breakdown

Comparing DK Metcalf (WR, Pittsburgh Steelers) against Pat Freiermuth (TE, Pittsburgh Steelers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Pat Freiermuth posted 6.2 PPG across 15 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

DK Metcalf is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Pat Freiermuth is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: DK Metcalf (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•DK Metcalf outscored Pat Freiermuth by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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.
•Both players share a Week 9 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DK Metcalf vs Pat Freiermuth: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DK Metcalf	Pat Freiermuth
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.5	6.2
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	158	93
Receptions	59	41
Rec/Game	3.9	2.7
Receiving Yards	850	486
Rec Yds/Game	56.7	32.4
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	99	54
Target Share/Game	6.6	3.6
Age	28	27
Experience	6 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 9

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DK Metcalf at 10.5 PPG, 4.3 points per game above Pat Freiermuth's 6.2. 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DK Metcalf or Pat Freiermuth in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DK Metcalf has the edge at 10.5 PPG compared to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 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 Pat Freiermuth average in 2025?▾

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

Do DK Metcalf and Pat Freiermuth share a bye week?▾

Yes, both DK Metcalf and Pat Freiermuth share a Week 9 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.