Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Pat Freiermuth vs Theo JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Theo Johnson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.0 PPG to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Theo Johnson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Theo Johnson and Pat Freiermuth are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.8-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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TEPittsburgh Steelers#28

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TENew York Giants#24PPG LEADER

Theo Johnson

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Pat Freiermuth

Theo Johnson

Head to Head

6.2 PPG7.0 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Theo Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Pat Freiermuth is producing at 28% of elite pace and Theo Johnson at 32%. That ranking gap means Theo Johnson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Pat Freiermuth vs Theo Johnson: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Pat Freiermuth finished the 2025 season at 6.2 PPG over 15 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Theo Johnson clocked in at 7.0 across 15 appearances for the New York Giants. A 0.8-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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Pat Freiermuth had 41 catches for 486 yards; Theo Johnson posted 45 for 528. 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: Pat Freiermuth is off Week 9 and Theo Johnson Week 8. 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: Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Theo Johnson (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Theo Johnson outscored Pat Freiermuth by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Theo Johnson scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Theo Johnson saw 74 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Pat Freiermuth vs Theo Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Pat Freiermuth	Theo Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.2	7.0
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	93	105
Receptions	41	45
Rec/Game	2.7	3.0
Receiving Yards	486	528
Rec Yds/Game	32.4	35.2
Receiving TDs	4	5
Targets	54	74
Target Share/Game	3.6	4.9
Age	27	25
Experience	4 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 8

Summary

7.0 PPG for Theo Johnson versus 6.2 for Pat Freiermuth in 2025. The baseline favors Theo Johnson, 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 Pat Freiermuth or Theo Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Theo Johnson has the edge at 7.0 PPG compared to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 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 Pat Freiermuth and Theo Johnson average in 2025?▾

Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Pat Freiermuth and Theo Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Theo Johnson (NYG) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Pat Freiermuth or Theo Johnson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Theo Johnson outscored Pat Freiermuth by 0.8 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.