Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Evan Engram vs Pat FreiermuthWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.2 PPG to Evan Engram's 4.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Pat Freiermuth edges Evan Engram by 1.3 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, Pat Freiermuth 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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TEDenver Broncos#35

Evan Engram

PPG

4.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

461

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

TEPittsburgh Steelers#28PPG LEADER

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Evan Engram

Pat Freiermuth

Head to Head

4.9 PPG6.2 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Evan Engram: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #35 at the position). Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Evan Engram is producing at 22% of elite pace and Pat Freiermuth at 28%. That ranking gap means Pat Freiermuth carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Evan Engram vs Pat Freiermuth: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Evan Engram and Pat Freiermuth is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.3 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Evan Engram averaged 4.9 PPG with the Denver Broncos across 16 games, and Pat Freiermuth posted 6.2 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 15.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Evan Engram had 50 catches for 461 yards; Pat Freiermuth posted 41 for 486. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Evan Engram has his bye in Week 10, and Pat Freiermuth rests in Week 9. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end 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: Evan Engram (age 31) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Pat Freiermuth outscored Evan Engram by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Evan Engram played 16 games in 2025 compared to Pat Freiermuth's 15. That durability gap means Evan Engram contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Pat Freiermuth scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Evan Engram saw 76 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Pat Freiermuth is 4 years younger than Evan Engram (27 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Evan Engram vs Pat Freiermuth: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Evan Engram	Pat Freiermuth
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.9	6.2
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	78	93
Receptions	50	41
Rec/Game	3.1	2.7
Receiving Yards	461	486
Rec Yds/Game	28.8	32.4
Receiving TDs	1	4
Targets	76	54
Target Share/Game	4.8	3.6
Age	31	27
Experience	8 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 9

Summary

Pat Freiermuth outscored Evan Engram by 1.3 PPG in 2025 (6.2 to 4.9). 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 Evan Engram or Pat Freiermuth in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Pat Freiermuth has the edge at 6.2 PPG compared to Evan Engram's 4.9 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 Evan Engram and Pat Freiermuth average in 2025?▾

Evan Engram averaged 4.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.3 points per game.

When are Evan Engram and Pat Freiermuth's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Evan Engram (DEN) has a bye in Week 10, and Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Evan Engram or Pat Freiermuth a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Pat Freiermuth outscored Evan Engram by 1.3 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.