Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Chris Godwin Jr. vs Joshua PalmerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Chris Godwin Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.4 PPG to Joshua Palmer's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Chris Godwin Jr. is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Chris Godwin Jr. edges Joshua Palmer by 0.6 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Chris Godwin Jr. goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Chris Godwin Jr. and Joshua Palmer in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRTampa Bay Buccaneers#54PPG LEADER

Chris Godwin Jr.

PPG

7.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

WRLos Angeles Chargers#99

Joshua Palmer

PPG

6.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

498

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Chris Godwin Jr.

Joshua Palmer

Head to Head

7.4 PPG6.8 PPG

9 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Chris Godwin Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #54 at the position). Joshua Palmer: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Chris Godwin Jr. is producing at 34% of elite pace and Joshua Palmer at 31%. That ranking gap means Chris Godwin Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Chris Godwin Jr. vs Joshua Palmer: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Chris Godwin Jr. finished the 2025 season at 7.4 PPG over 9 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Joshua Palmer clocked in at 6.8 across 14 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers. A 0.6-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Chris Godwin Jr. turned 51 targets into 360 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Joshua Palmer converted 65 looks into 498 yards and 2 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Chris Godwin Jr. is off Week 10 and Joshua Palmer Week 5. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Chris Godwin Jr. (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Joshua Palmer (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Chris Godwin Jr. outscored Joshua Palmer by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joshua Palmer played 14 games in 2025 compared to Chris Godwin Jr.'s 9. That durability gap means Joshua Palmer contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Chris Godwin Jr. scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Joshua Palmer saw 65 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chris Godwin Jr. vs Joshua Palmer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Chris Godwin Jr.	Joshua Palmer
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.4	6.8
Games Played	9	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	67	95
Receptions	33	42
Rec/Game	3.7	3.0
Receiving Yards	360	498
Rec Yds/Game	40.0	35.6
Receiving TDs	2	2
Targets	51	65
Target Share/Game	5.7	4.6
Age	30	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Chris Godwin Jr. holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.4 points per game. Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Chris Godwin Jr. vs Joshua Palmer

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 Chris Godwin Jr. vs Joshua Palmer

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 Chris Godwin Jr. or Joshua Palmer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Chris Godwin Jr. has the edge at 7.4 PPG compared to Joshua Palmer's 6.8 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 Chris Godwin Jr. and Joshua Palmer average in 2025?▾

Chris Godwin Jr. averaged 7.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Chris Godwin Jr. and Joshua Palmer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Chris Godwin Jr. (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Joshua Palmer (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Chris Godwin Jr. or Joshua Palmer a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Chris Godwin Jr. outscored Joshua Palmer by 0.6 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.