Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DK Metcalf vs Troy FranklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Troy Franklin's 8.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy play this season.

DK Metcalf has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.0-PPG advantage is real (10.5 to 8.5), and DK Metcalf's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. Troy Franklin is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track DK Metcalf and Troy Franklin 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

WRDenver Broncos#44

Troy Franklin

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

709

Rec TDs

Targets

104

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

DK Metcalf

Troy Franklin

Head to Head

10.5 PPG8.5 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Troy Franklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #44 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DK Metcalf is producing at 48% of elite pace and Troy Franklin at 39%. That ranking gap means DK Metcalf carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DK Metcalf vs Troy Franklin: The Full Breakdown

DK Metcalf and Troy Franklin are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 PPG across 15 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Troy Franklin posted 8.5 PPG in 17 appearances for the Denver Broncos.

A 2.0-PPG gap gives DK Metcalf the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. DK Metcalf turned 99 targets into 850 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Troy Franklin converted 104 looks into 709 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

DK Metcalf has his bye in Week 9, and Troy Franklin rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. Troy Franklin (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•DK Metcalf outscored Troy Franklin by a projected 34 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Troy Franklin played 17 games in 2025 compared to DK Metcalf's 15. That durability gap means Troy Franklin 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.
•Troy Franklin saw 104 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Troy Franklin is 5 years younger than DK Metcalf (23 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DK Metcalf vs Troy Franklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DK Metcalf	Troy Franklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.5	8.5
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	158	145
Receptions	59	65
Rec/Game	3.9	3.8
Receiving Yards	850	709
Rec Yds/Game	56.7	41.7
Receiving TDs	6	6
Targets	99	104
Target Share/Game	6.6	6.1
Age	28	23
Experience	6 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 10

Summary

DK Metcalf outscored Troy Franklin by 2.0 PPG in 2025 (10.5 to 8.5). 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on DK Metcalf vs Troy Franklin

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 Troy Franklin

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 Troy Franklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DK Metcalf has the edge at 10.5 PPG compared to Troy Franklin's 8.5 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 Troy Franklin average in 2025?▾

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.0 points per game.

When are DK Metcalf and Troy Franklin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Troy Franklin (DEN) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DK Metcalf or Troy Franklin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf outscored Troy Franklin by 2.0 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.