Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DK Metcalf vs Terry McLaurinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Terry McLaurin's 9.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. DK Metcalf edges Terry McLaurin by 1.0 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, DK Metcalf goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

WRWashington Commanders#35

Terry McLaurin

PPG

9.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

582

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

DK Metcalf

Terry McLaurin

Head to Head

10.5 PPG9.5 PPG

15 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Terry McLaurin: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DK Metcalf is producing at 48% of elite pace and Terry McLaurin at 43%. That ranking gap means DK Metcalf carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DK Metcalf vs Terry McLaurin: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. DK Metcalf finished the 2025 season at 10.5 PPG over 15 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Terry McLaurin clocked in at 9.5 across 10 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 1.0-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Target volume is the story here. DK Metcalf saw 99 targets in 2025, while Terry McLaurin drew 60. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DK Metcalf, even in weeks where Terry McLaurin 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 Terry McLaurin Week 7. 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

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. Terry McLaurin (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•DK Metcalf outscored Terry McLaurin by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DK Metcalf played 15 games in 2025 compared to Terry McLaurin's 10. 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 Terry McLaurin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DK Metcalf	Terry McLaurin
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.5	9.5
Games Played	15	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	158	95
Receptions	59	38
Rec/Game	3.9	3.8
Receiving Yards	850	582
Rec Yds/Game	56.7	58.2
Receiving TDs	6	3
Targets	99	60
Target Share/Game	6.6	6.0
Age	28	30
Experience	6 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 7

Summary

DK Metcalf outscored Terry McLaurin by 1.0 PPG in 2025 (10.5 to 9.5). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DK Metcalf or Terry McLaurin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DK Metcalf has the edge at 10.5 PPG compared to Terry McLaurin's 9.5 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 Terry McLaurin average in 2025?▾

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Terry McLaurin averaged 9.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are DK Metcalf and Terry McLaurin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Terry McLaurin (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DK Metcalf or Terry McLaurin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf outscored Terry McLaurin by 1.0 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.