Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Darnell Washington vs Darren WallerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darren Waller is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Darnell Washington's 4.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darren Waller is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Darren Waller outscored Darnell Washington by 5.1 PPG in 2025 with 6 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Darren Waller is the clear pick. Darnell Washington profiles as a matchup-dependent tight end who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TEPittsburgh Steelers#38

Darnell Washington

PPG

4.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

364

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEMiami Dolphins#8PPG LEADER

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Darnell Washington

Darren Waller

Head to Head

4.5 PPG9.6 PPG

13 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and Darren Waller at 44%. That ranking gap means Darren Waller carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darnell Washington vs Darren Waller: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Darnell Washington and Darren Waller is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Pittsburgh Steelers tight end put up 4.5 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Darren Waller of the Miami Dolphins averaged 9.6 in 8. A 5.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.1 points favors Darren Waller, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Darnell Washington had 31 catches for 364 yards; Darren Waller posted 24 for 283. 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: Darnell Washington is off Week 9 and Darren Waller Week 6. 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

Darren Waller is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Darnell Washington is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Darnell Washington (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Darren Waller outscored Darnell Washington by a projected 87 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Darnell Washington played 13 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Darnell Washington contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Darren Waller scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Darnell Washington saw 43 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Darnell Washington is 9 years younger than Darren Waller (24 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darnell Washington vs Darren Waller: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darnell Washington	Darren Waller
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.5	9.6
Games Played	13	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	77
Receptions	31	24
Rec/Game	2.4	3.0
Receiving Yards	364	283
Rec Yds/Game	28.0	35.4
Receiving TDs	1	6
Targets	43	34
Target Share/Game	3.3	4.3
Age	24	33
Experience	2 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 6

Summary

9.6 PPG for Darren Waller versus 4.5 for Darnell Washington in 2025. The baseline favors Darren Waller, 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 Darnell Washington or Darren Waller in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Darren Waller has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Darnell Washington's 4.5 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 Darnell Washington and Darren Waller average in 2025?▾

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 5.1 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and Darren Waller's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darnell Washington (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Washington or Darren Waller a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Darren Waller outscored Darnell Washington by 5.1 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.