Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ja'Tavion Sanders vs Pat FreiermuthWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.2 PPG to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 4.2 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. Ja'Tavion Sanders at 4.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Pat Freiermuth higher, but do not fade Ja'Tavion Sanders entirely.

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

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TECarolina Panthers#99

Ja'Tavion Sanders

PPG

4.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

308

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TEPittsburgh Steelers#28PPG LEADER

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Ja'Tavion Sanders

Pat Freiermuth

Head to Head

4.2 PPG6.2 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Ja'Tavion Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Ja'Tavion Sanders is producing at 19% 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.

Ja'Tavion Sanders vs Pat Freiermuth: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Ja'Tavion Sanders and Pat Freiermuth for your lineup, you are not alone. Ja'Tavion Sanders finished the 2025 season at 4.2 PPG for the Carolina Panthers (14 games), and Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 for the Pittsburgh Steelers (15 games).

That 2.0-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. Ja'Tavion Sanders had 32 catches for 308 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.

One scheduling note: Ja'Tavion Sanders is off Week 11 and Pat Freiermuth Week 9. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end 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: Ja'Tavion Sanders (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Pat Freiermuth outscored Ja'Tavion Sanders by a projected 34 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Pat Freiermuth played 15 games in 2025 compared to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 14. That durability gap means Pat Freiermuth 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.
•Pat Freiermuth saw 54 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ja'Tavion Sanders vs Pat Freiermuth: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ja'Tavion Sanders	Pat Freiermuth
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.2	6.2
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	93
Receptions	32	41
Rec/Game	2.3	2.7
Receiving Yards	308	486
Rec Yds/Game	22.0	32.4
Receiving TDs	1	4
Targets	45	54
Target Share/Game	3.2	3.6
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 9

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Pat Freiermuth at 6.2 PPG, 2.0 points per game above Ja'Tavion Sanders's 4.2. 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders or Pat Freiermuth in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Pat Freiermuth has the edge at 6.2 PPG compared to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 4.2 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders and Pat Freiermuth average in 2025?▾

Ja'Tavion Sanders averaged 4.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.0 points per game.

When are Ja'Tavion Sanders and Pat Freiermuth's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ja'Tavion Sanders (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ja'Tavion Sanders or Pat Freiermuth a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Pat Freiermuth outscored Ja'Tavion Sanders 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.