Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Troy Franklin vs Zay FlowersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zay Flowers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.8 PPG to Troy Franklin's 8.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Zay Flowers is the better fantasy play this season.

Zay Flowers is the better play on a neutral week. 11.8 PPG with 1,273 yards gives a reliable baseline. Troy Franklin at 8.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Zay Flowers higher, but do not fade Troy Franklin entirely.

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

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WRDenver Broncos#44

Troy Franklin

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

709

Rec TDs

Targets

104

Bye

Week 10

WRBaltimore Ravens#15PPG LEADER

Zay Flowers

PPG

11.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,211

Rec TDs

Targets

118

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Troy Franklin

Zay Flowers

Head to Head

8.5 PPG11.8 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Troy Franklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #44 at the position). Zay Flowers: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Troy Franklin is producing at 39% of elite pace and Zay Flowers at 54%. That ranking gap means Zay Flowers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Troy Franklin vs Zay Flowers: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Troy Franklin and Zay Flowers for your lineup, you are not alone. Troy Franklin finished the 2025 season at 8.5 PPG for the Denver Broncos (17 games), and Zay Flowers averaged 11.8 for the Baltimore Ravens (17 games).

That 3.3-point weekly advantage for Zay Flowers 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 are workload receivers with similar target shares. Troy Franklin turned 104 targets into 709 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Zay Flowers converted 118 looks into 1211 yards and 5 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Troy Franklin sits Week 10 while Zay Flowers is off Week 13. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Zay Flowers is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Troy Franklin is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Troy Franklin (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Zay Flowers (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Zay Flowers outscored Troy Franklin by a projected 56 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Troy Franklin scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Zay Flowers saw 118 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Troy Franklin vs Zay Flowers: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Troy Franklin	Zay Flowers
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.5	11.8
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	145	201
Receptions	65	86
Rec/Game	3.8	5.1
Receiving Yards	709	1,211
Rec Yds/Game	41.7	71.2
Receiving TDs	6	5
Targets	104	118
Target Share/Game	6.1	6.9
Age	23	25
Experience	1 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 13

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Zay Flowers at 11.8 PPG, 3.3 points per game above Troy Franklin's 8.5. 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 Troy Franklin or Zay Flowers in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zay Flowers has the edge at 11.8 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 Troy Franklin and Zay Flowers average in 2025?▾

Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Zay Flowers averaged 11.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.3 points per game.

When are Troy Franklin and Zay Flowers's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Troy Franklin (DEN) has a bye in Week 10, and Zay Flowers (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Troy Franklin or Zay Flowers a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Zay Flowers outscored Troy Franklin by 3.3 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.