Greg Dulcich or Pat Freiermuth: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 1 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Freiermuth’s steadier role wins a narrow tight-end call
Freiermuth gets the nod because his more stable presence gives a fragile tight-end projection a better floor, while Pittsburgh’s stronger scoring environment adds touchdown equity. Dulcich can beat him with a seam play, and his matchup is marginally less difficult, but his lighter role makes that outcome more dependent on efficiency. The risk with Freiermuth is that his modest target involvement and a tough Atlanta matchup leave little margin if Pittsburgh fails to finish drives.
What flips it: A late role change that puts Dulcich on the field for more passing downs.
AI editor
Greg Dulcich
4.15.67.1 Projected Points
Pat Freiermuth
4.96.78.4 Projected Points
Why Greg Dulcich
Toss-UpTE1 in receiving role. Seam-stretching athlete with injury-marked career arc and limited blocking value.
Toss-up — TE24 by consensus and projection: LV is the 5th-toughest matchup vs TEs, 14% target share in 2025.
- Dulcich’s seam-stretching profile gives him a path to win on fewer snaps.
- His lighter role is offset somewhat by a matchup that is slightly less difficult.
Why Pat Freiermuth
Toss-UpTE1 in pass-catching role. Reliable chain-mover with red-zone size and dependable hands.
Toss-up — TE18 consensus, projects TE17 this week: ATL is the 3rd-toughest matchup vs TEs, 12% target share in 2025.
- Freiermuth’s red-zone size gives his modest target share a better touchdown route.
- His chain-moving style supports steadier production than Dulcich’s more specialized usage.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Greg Dulcich | Pat Freiermuth |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 4.15.67.1 | 4.96.78.4 |
| Consensus rank | TE24 | TE18 |
| Opponent vs position | LV · 5 of 320-game sample | ATL · 3 of 320-game sample |
| Receptions | 3 of 32 | 3 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 3 of 32 | 8 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | 9 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Targets | 3 of 32 | 4 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 9 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Target share | 14%(2025) | 12%(2025) |
| Reception share | 15%(2025) | 13%(2025) |
| Implied total · spread | 19.3+3.0 | 22.8-3.0 |
| Depth chart | TE1 | TE1 |
| Snap share | 44%(2025) | 53%(2025) |
Signal breakdown
- 7.1 vs 8.4 projected PPR pointsPat Freiermuth +
- Rank 24 vs 18Pat Freiermuth +
- Opponent DvP rank 5 vs 3 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 19.3 vs 22.8 team pointsPat Freiermuth +
- No injury designationseven
- 44% vs 53% snap sharePat Freiermuth +
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