Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DK Metcalf vs Ryan FlournoyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Ryan Flournoy's 7.2 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. Ryan Flournoy at 7.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft DK Metcalf higher, but do not fade Ryan Flournoy entirely.

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

WRDallas Cowboys#55

Ryan Flournoy

PPG

7.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

475

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

DK Metcalf

Ryan Flournoy

Head to Head

10.5 PPG7.2 PPG

15 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Ryan Flournoy: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #55 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DK Metcalf is producing at 48% of elite pace and Ryan Flournoy at 33%. That ranking gap means DK Metcalf carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DK Metcalf vs Ryan Flournoy: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between DK Metcalf and Ryan Flournoy is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver put up 10.5 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Ryan Flournoy of the Dallas Cowboys averaged 7.2 in 13. A 3.3-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.3 points favors DK Metcalf, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.

Target volume is the story here. DK Metcalf saw 99 targets in 2025, while Ryan Flournoy drew 56. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DK Metcalf, even in weeks where Ryan Flournoy posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: DK Metcalf is off Week 9 and Ryan Flournoy Week 14. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

DK Metcalf is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Ryan Flournoy 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. Ryan Flournoy (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•DK Metcalf outscored Ryan Flournoy by a projected 56 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DK Metcalf played 15 games in 2025 compared to Ryan Flournoy's 13. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DK Metcalf vs Ryan Flournoy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DK Metcalf	Ryan Flournoy
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.5	7.2
Games Played	15	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	158	94
Receptions	59	40
Rec/Game	3.9	3.1
Receiving Yards	850	475
Rec Yds/Game	56.7	36.5
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	99	56
Target Share/Game	6.6	4.3
Age	28	26
Experience	6 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 14

Summary

10.5 PPG for DK Metcalf versus 7.2 for Ryan Flournoy 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 Ryan Flournoy in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DK Metcalf has the edge at 10.5 PPG compared to Ryan Flournoy's 7.2 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 Ryan Flournoy average in 2025?▾

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Ryan Flournoy averaged 7.2 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 3.3 points per game.

When are DK Metcalf and Ryan Flournoy's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is DK Metcalf or Ryan Flournoy a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf outscored Ryan Flournoy by 3.3 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.