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DK Metcalf vs Rico Dowdle

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

WRPittsburgh Steelers
DK Metcalf
PPG
10.5
Games
15
Rec
59
Rec Yds
850
Rec TDs
6
Targets
99
Bye
Week 9
RBPittsburgh SteelersPPG LEADER
Rico Dowdle
PPG
11.6
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,076
Rush TDs
6
Rec
39
Rec Yds
297
Bye
Week 9

Head to Head

10.5 PPG11.6 PPG
15 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 9

DK Metcalf vs Rico Dowdle: Who Should You Start?

Comparing DK Metcalf (WR, Pittsburgh Steelers) against Rico Dowdle (RB, Pittsburgh Steelers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Rico Dowdle posted 11.6 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.

The Bottom Line

The 2025 numbers favor Rico Dowdle at 11.6 PPG, 1.1 points per game above DK Metcalf's 10.5. 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 Rico Dowdle in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Rico Dowdle has the edge at 11.6 PPG compared to DK Metcalf's 10.5 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 DK Metcalf and Rico Dowdle average in 2025?

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Rico Dowdle averaged 11.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

Do DK Metcalf and Rico Dowdle share a bye week?

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