Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Pat Freiermuth vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.5 PPG to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Tyler Higbee edges Pat Freiermuth by 0.3 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, Tyler Higbee 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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TEPittsburgh Steelers#28

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TELos Angeles Rams#25PPG LEADER

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Pat Freiermuth

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

6.2 PPG6.5 PPG

15 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Pat Freiermuth is producing at 28% of elite pace and Tyler Higbee at 30%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Pat Freiermuth vs Tyler Higbee: 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 Tyler Higbee clocked in at 6.5 across 9 appearances for the Los Angeles Rams. A 0.3-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.

Pat Freiermuth is the volume tight end in this matchup with 41 receptions for 486 yards, while Tyler Higbee profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 25 catches). In weeks where Tyler Higbee finds the end zone he out-scores Pat Freiermuth, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Pat Freiermuth is off Week 9 and Tyler Higbee Week 11. 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. Tyler Higbee (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Higbee outscored Pat Freiermuth by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Pat Freiermuth played 15 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. 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.
•Pat Freiermuth is 6 years younger than Tyler Higbee (27 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Pat Freiermuth vs Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Pat Freiermuth	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.2	6.5
Games Played	15	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	93	59
Receptions	41	25
Rec/Game	2.7	2.8
Receiving Yards	486	281
Rec Yds/Game	32.4	31.2
Receiving TDs	4	3
Targets	54	36
Target Share/Game	3.6	4.0
Age	27	33
Experience	4 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Tyler Higbee holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 6.5 points per game. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Pat Freiermuth or Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Higbee has the edge at 6.5 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 Tyler Higbee average in 2025?▾

Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Pat Freiermuth and Tyler Higbee's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Tyler Higbee (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Pat Freiermuth or Tyler Higbee a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tyler Higbee outscored Pat Freiermuth by 0.3 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.