Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

A.J. Brown vs Ladd McConkeyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

A.J. Brown is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

A.J. Brown is the better fantasy play this season.

A.J. Brown is the better play on a neutral week. 12.1 PPG with 1,003 yards gives a reliable baseline. Ladd McConkey at 9.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft A.J. Brown higher, but do not fade Ladd McConkey entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track A.J. Brown and Ladd McConkey in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRPhiladelphia Eagles#12PPG LEADER

A.J. Brown

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,003

Rec TDs

Targets

121

Bye

Week 10

WRLos Angeles Chargers#38

Ladd McConkey

PPG

9.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

789

Rec TDs

Targets

106

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

A.J. Brown

Ladd McConkey

Head to Head

12.1 PPG9.2 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

A.J. Brown: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #12 at the position). Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, A.J. Brown is producing at 55% of elite pace and Ladd McConkey at 42%. That ranking gap means A.J. Brown carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

A.J. Brown vs Ladd McConkey: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between A.J. Brown and Ladd McConkey for your lineup, you are not alone. A.J. Brown finished the 2025 season at 12.1 PPG for the Philadelphia Eagles (15 games), and Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 for the Los Angeles Chargers (16 games).

That 2.9-point weekly advantage for A.J. Brown 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.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. A.J. Brown turned 121 targets into 1003 yards and 7 touchdowns, while Ladd McConkey converted 106 looks into 789 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: A.J. Brown sits Week 10 while Ladd McConkey is off Week 7. 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: A.J. Brown (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Ladd McConkey (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•A.J. Brown outscored Ladd McConkey by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ladd McConkey played 16 games in 2025 compared to A.J. Brown's 15. That durability gap means Ladd McConkey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•A.J. Brown scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•A.J. Brown saw 121 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Ladd McConkey is 4 years younger than A.J. Brown (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

A.J. Brown vs Ladd McConkey: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	A.J. Brown	Ladd McConkey
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	9.2
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	182	147
Receptions	78	66
Rec/Game	5.2	4.1
Receiving Yards	1,003	789
Rec Yds/Game	66.9	49.3
Receiving TDs	7	6
Targets	121	106
Target Share/Game	8.1	6.6
Age	28	24
Experience	6 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor A.J. Brown at 12.1 PPG, 2.9 points per game above Ladd McConkey's 9.2. 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on A.J. Brown vs Ladd McConkey

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on A.J. Brown vs Ladd McConkey

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start A.J. Brown or Ladd McConkey in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, A.J. Brown has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 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 A.J. Brown and Ladd McConkey average in 2025?▾

A.J. Brown averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 2.9 points per game.

When are A.J. Brown and Ladd McConkey's bye weeks in 2026?▾

A.J. Brown (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Ladd McConkey (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is A.J. Brown or Ladd McConkey a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

A.J. Brown outscored Ladd McConkey by 2.9 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.