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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

DK Metcalf vs Ricky PearsallWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start DK Metcalf over Ricky Pearsall in 2026.

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 PPG in 2025 to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8, a 2.7 point per game edge. Metcalf also stayed healthier, playing 15 games to 9, which steadies his weekly floor. Both land in Tier 3 at the position, so this is closer than the raw gap suggests.

The Bottom Line

DK Metcalf is the better play on a neutral week. 10.5 PPG with 862 yards gives a reliable baseline. Ricky Pearsall at 7.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft DK Metcalf higher, but do not fade Ricky Pearsall entirely.

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

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WRPittsburgh Steelers#25PPG LEADER

DK Metcalf

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

850

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

WRSan Francisco 49ers#52

Ricky Pearsall

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

DK Metcalf

Ricky Pearsall

Head to Head

10.5 PPG7.8 PPG

15 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

DK Metcalf: Tier 3 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Ricky Pearsall: Tier 3 (Deep League) WR (ranked #52 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DK Metcalf is producing at 48% of elite pace and Ricky Pearsall at 35%. That ranking gap means DK Metcalf carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DK Metcalf vs Ricky Pearsall: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between DK Metcalf and Ricky Pearsall for your lineup, you are not alone. DK Metcalf finished the 2025 season at 10.5 PPG for the Pittsburgh Steelers (15 games), and Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 for the San Francisco 49ers (9 games).

That 2.7-point weekly advantage for DK Metcalf 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.

Target volume is the story here. DK Metcalf saw 99 targets in 2025, while Ricky Pearsall drew 53. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DK Metcalf, even in weeks where Ricky Pearsall posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: DK Metcalf sits Week 9 while Ricky Pearsall is off Week 8. 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

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: DK Metcalf (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Ricky Pearsall (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•DK Metcalf outscored Ricky Pearsall by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DK Metcalf played 15 games in 2025 compared to Ricky Pearsall's 9. That durability gap means DK Metcalf contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•DK Metcalf saw 99 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DK Metcalf vs Ricky Pearsall: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DK Metcalf	Ricky Pearsall
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.5	7.8
Games Played	15	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	158	70
Receptions	59	36
Rec/Game	3.9	4.0
Receiving Yards	850	528
Rec Yds/Game	56.7	58.7
Receiving TDs	6	0
Targets	99	53
Target Share/Game	6.6	5.9
Age	28	25
Experience	6 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DK Metcalf at 10.5 PPG, 2.7 points per game above Ricky Pearsall's 7.8. 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 DK Metcalf or Ricky Pearsall in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DK Metcalf has the edge at 10.5 PPG compared to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 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 DK Metcalf and Ricky Pearsall average in 2025?▾

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

When are DK Metcalf and Ricky Pearsall's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Ricky Pearsall (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DK Metcalf or Ricky Pearsall a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf outscored Ricky Pearsall by 2.7 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.