Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Wilson vs Rico DowdleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Rico Dowdle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.6 PPG to Michael Wilson's 10.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Rico Dowdle is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Rico Dowdle (11.6 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Michael Wilson (10.7 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

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

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WRArizona Cardinals#24

Michael Wilson

PPG

10.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,006

Rec TDs

Targets

126

Bye

Week 14

RBCarolina Panthers#21PPG LEADER

Rico Dowdle

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

1,076

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

297

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Michael Wilson

Rico Dowdle

Head to Head

10.7 PPG11.6 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Wilson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #24 at the position). Rico Dowdle: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #21 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB in most league formats.

Michael Wilson vs Rico Dowdle: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Michael Wilson (WR, Arizona Cardinals) against Rico Dowdle (RB, Carolina Panthers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Michael Wilson averaged 10.7 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Rico Dowdle posted 11.6 PPG across 17 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Michael Wilson has his bye in Week 14, Rico Dowdle in Week 5. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

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: Michael Wilson (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Rico Dowdle (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Rico Dowdle outscored Michael Wilson by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Wilson scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Michael Wilson saw 126 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Wilson vs Rico Dowdle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Wilson	Rico Dowdle
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.7	11.6
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	182	197
Rushing Yards	0	1,076
Rush Yds/Game	0.0	63.3
Rushing TDs	0	6
Receptions	78	39
Receiving Yards	1,006	297
Targets	126	50
Total TDs	7	7
Age	26	27
Experience	2 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 5

Summary

11.6 PPG for Rico Dowdle versus 10.7 for Michael Wilson in 2025. The baseline favors Rico Dowdle, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Wilson or Rico Dowdle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rico Dowdle has the edge at 11.6 PPG compared to Michael Wilson's 10.7 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 Michael Wilson and Rico Dowdle average in 2025?▾

Michael Wilson averaged 10.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Rico Dowdle averaged 11.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are Michael Wilson and Rico Dowdle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Wilson (ARI) has a bye in Week 14, and Rico Dowdle (CAR) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.