Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

DK Metcalf vs Rashee Rice

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Rashee Rice is the better fantasy play this season.

Rashee Rice is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 15.5 PPG and 591 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. DK Metcalf (10.5 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Rashee Rice as the starter and DK Metcalf as depth.

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

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WRPittsburgh Steelers#25

DK Metcalf

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

850

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

WRKansas City Chiefs#5PPG LEADER

Rashee Rice

PPG

15.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

571

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

DK Metcalf

Rashee Rice

Head to Head

10.5 PPG15.5 PPG

15 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Rashee Rice: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #5 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DK Metcalf is producing at 48% of elite pace and Rashee Rice at 70%. That ranking gap means Rashee Rice carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DK Metcalf vs Rashee Rice: Who Should You Start?

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. DK Metcalf (Pittsburgh Steelers) finished the 2025 season averaging 10.5 fantasy points per game in 15 games. Rashee Rice (Kansas City Chiefs) came in at 15.5 PPG over 8 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Rashee Rice carries a 5.0-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. DK Metcalf turned 99 targets into 850 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Rashee Rice converted 78 looks into 571 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: DK Metcalf sits Week 5 while Rashee Rice is off Week 10. 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

If you can acquire Rashee Rice at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. DK Metcalf is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: DK Metcalf (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Rashee Rice (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Rashee Rice outscored DK Metcalf by a projected 85 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DK Metcalf played 15 games in 2025 compared to Rashee Rice's 8. That durability gap means DK Metcalf contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•DK Metcalf scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•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▾

StatMetcalfRice

PPG (Half-PPR)10.515.5

Games Played158

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)158124

Receptions5953

Rec/Game3.96.6

Receiving Yards850571

Rec Yds/Game56.771.4

Receiving TDs65

Targets9978

Target Share/Game6.69.8

Age2826

Experience6 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 5Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Rashee Rice holds the PPG edge with solid output at 15.5 points per game. DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 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 DK Metcalf or Rashee Rice in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rashee Rice has the edge at 15.5 PPG compared to DK Metcalf's 10.5 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 DK Metcalf and Rashee Rice average in 2025?▾

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 5.0 points per game.

When are DK Metcalf and Rashee Rice's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 5, and Rashee Rice (KC) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DK Metcalf or Rashee Rice a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Rashee Rice outscored DK Metcalf by 5.0 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.