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Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Cade Otton vs Christian McCaffrey

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Christian McCaffrey (21.5 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Cade Otton (6.2 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

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

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TETampa Bay Buccaneers#29
Cade Otton
PPG
6.2
Games
15
Rec
59
Rec Yds
572
Rec TDs
1
Targets
81
Bye
Week 9
RBSan Francisco 49ers#1PPG LEADER
Christian McCaffrey
PPG
21.5
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,202
Rush TDs
10
Rec
102
Rec Yds
924
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cade Otton
Christian McCaffrey

Head to Head

6.2 PPG21.5 PPG
15 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Cade Otton: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #29 at the position). Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 1 (Elite) RB in most league formats.

Cade Otton vs Christian McCaffrey: Who Should You Start?

Comparing Cade Otton (TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) against Christian McCaffrey (RB, San Francisco 49ers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Cade Otton averaged 6.2 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Christian McCaffrey posted 21.5 PPG across 17 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Cade Otton has his bye in Week 9, Christian McCaffrey in Week 14. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Christian McCaffrey at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Cade Otton is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Cade Otton (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Christian McCaffrey (age 29, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Christian McCaffrey outscored Cade Otton by a projected 260 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Christian McCaffrey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Cade Otton's 15. That durability gap means Christian McCaffrey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Christian McCaffrey scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Christian McCaffrey saw 129 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatOttonMcCaffrey
PPG (Half-PPR)6.221.5
Games Played1517
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)93366
Rushing Yards01,202
Rush Yds/Game0.070.7
Rushing TDs010
Receptions59102
Receiving Yards572924
Targets81129
Total TDs117
Age2729
Experience3 yrs8 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 9Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Christian McCaffrey holds the PPG edge with strong output at 21.5 points per game. Cade Otton 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 Cade Otton or Christian McCaffrey in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 PPG compared to Cade Otton'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 Cade Otton and Christian McCaffrey average in 2025?

Cade Otton averaged 6.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 15.3 points per game.

When are Cade Otton and Christian McCaffrey's bye weeks in 2026?

Cade Otton (TB) has a bye in Week 9, and Christian McCaffrey (SF) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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