Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gunnar Helm vs Pat FreiermuthWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.2 PPG to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy play this season.

Pat Freiermuth is the better play on a neutral week. 6.2 PPG with 486 yards gives a reliable baseline. Gunnar Helm at 4.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Pat Freiermuth higher, but do not fade Gunnar Helm entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TETennessee Titans#40

Gunnar Helm

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

357

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEPittsburgh Steelers#28PPG LEADER

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Gunnar Helm

Pat Freiermuth

Head to Head

4.4 PPG6.2 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Gunnar Helm is producing at 20% 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.

Gunnar Helm vs Pat Freiermuth: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Gunnar Helm and Pat Freiermuth for your lineup, you are not alone. Gunnar Helm finished the 2025 season at 4.4 PPG for the Tennessee Titans (16 games), and Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 for the Pittsburgh Steelers (15 games).

That 1.8-point weekly advantage for Pat Freiermuth is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Gunnar Helm had 44 catches for 357 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.

Both share a Week 9 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

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: Gunnar Helm (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Pat Freiermuth outscored Gunnar Helm by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to Pat Freiermuth's 15. That durability gap means Gunnar Helm 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.
•Gunnar Helm saw 55 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Gunnar Helm is 4 years younger than Pat Freiermuth (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gunnar Helm vs Pat Freiermuth: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gunnar Helm	Pat Freiermuth
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.4	6.2
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	93
Receptions	44	41
Rec/Game	2.8	2.7
Receiving Yards	357	486
Rec Yds/Game	22.3	32.4
Receiving TDs	2	4
Targets	55	54
Target Share/Game	3.4	3.6
Age	23	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 9

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Pat Freiermuth at 6.2 PPG, 1.8 points per game above Gunnar Helm's 4.4. 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 Gunnar Helm or Pat Freiermuth in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Pat Freiermuth has the edge at 6.2 PPG compared to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 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 Gunnar Helm and Pat Freiermuth average in 2025?▾

Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 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 1.8 points per game.

Do Gunnar Helm and Pat Freiermuth share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Gunnar Helm and Pat Freiermuth share a Week 9 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Gunnar Helm or Pat Freiermuth a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Pat Freiermuth outscored Gunnar Helm by 1.8 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.