Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Mike Evans vs Troy FranklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Mike Evans is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Troy Franklin's 8.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Mike Evans is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Mike Evans edges Troy Franklin by 0.2 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, Mike Evans 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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WRTampa Bay Buccaneers#40PPG LEADER

Mike Evans

PPG

8.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

368

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

WRDenver Broncos#44

Troy Franklin

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

709

Rec TDs

Targets

104

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Mike Evans

Troy Franklin

Head to Head

8.7 PPG8.5 PPG

8 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Mike Evans: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #40 at the position). Troy Franklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #44 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Mike Evans is producing at 40% of elite pace and Troy Franklin at 39%. That ranking gap means Mike Evans carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Mike Evans vs Troy Franklin: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Mike Evans finished the 2025 season at 8.7 PPG over 8 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Troy Franklin clocked in at 8.5 across 17 appearances for the Denver Broncos. A 0.2-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Target volume is the story here. Troy Franklin saw 104 targets in 2025, while Mike Evans drew 62. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Troy Franklin, even in weeks where Mike Evans posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 10 bye. That means you need a backup plan at wide receiver for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Mike Evans (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Troy Franklin (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Mike Evans outscored Troy Franklin by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Troy Franklin played 17 games in 2025 compared to Mike Evans's 8. That durability gap means Troy Franklin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Troy Franklin scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 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 9 years younger than Mike Evans (23 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Mike Evans vs Troy Franklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Mike Evans	Troy Franklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	8.5
Games Played	8	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	145
Receptions	30	65
Rec/Game	3.8	3.8
Receiving Yards	368	709
Rec Yds/Game	46.0	41.7
Receiving TDs	3	6
Targets	62	104
Target Share/Game	7.8	6.1
Age	32	23
Experience	11 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 10

Summary

Mike Evans outscored Troy Franklin by 0.2 PPG in 2025 (8.7 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Mike Evans or Troy Franklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Mike Evans has the edge at 8.7 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 Mike Evans and Troy Franklin average in 2025?▾

Mike Evans averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

Do Mike Evans and Troy Franklin share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Mike Evans and Troy Franklin share a Week 10 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.

Is Mike Evans or Troy Franklin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Mike Evans outscored Troy Franklin by 0.2 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.