Darren Waller vs Pat Freiermuth
Who should you start in Week 5? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 5
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Darren Waller by 0.3 projected points (9.0 vs 8.8), close enough that either call is defensible.
Darren Waller faces CIN, the 11th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week. Pat Freiermuth faces IND, the 14th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
This one is a coin flip. The model leans Darren Waller by 0.6 points of value over replacement (-42.0 vs -42.6), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The draft market hasn't priced this matchup yet, so treat it as a pure model call.
| Darren WallerMIA | Pat FreiermuthPIT | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 5 opponent | CIN | IND | |
| Projected Week 5 points | 9.0 | 8.8 | Waller +0.3 pts |
| Matchup rank (TE vs defense, of 30) | #11 | #14 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 150.0 | 149.4 | Waller +0.6 pts |
| Points per game | 8.8 | 8.8 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -42.0 | -42.6 | Waller +0.6 |
| Overall rank | #119 | #120 | Waller by 1 |
| Position rank | TE18 | TE19 | |
| Market ADP | - | - | |
| Typical round (12-team) | - | - | |
| Bye week | 6 | 9 |
Should I start Darren Waller or Pat Freiermuth in Week 5?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Darren Waller by 0.3 projected points (9.0 vs 8.8), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Darren Waller or Pat Freiermuth in 2026 fantasy football?
Darren Waller. He projects 150.0 fantasy points with -42.0 value over replacement, vs 149.4 points and -42.6 for Pat Freiermuth (TE, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.