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Head to Head

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Cooper Kupp vs Diontae JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Cooper Kupp is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.8 PPG to Diontae Johnson's 9.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Cooper Kupp is the better fantasy play this season.

Cooper Kupp is the better play on a neutral week. 10.8 PPG with 748 yards gives a reliable baseline. Diontae Johnson at 9.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Cooper Kupp higher, but do not fade Diontae Johnson entirely.

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

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WRLos Angeles Rams#99PPG LEADER
Cooper Kupp
PPG
10.8
Games
12
Rec
62
Rec Yds
748
Rec TDs
5
Targets
92
Bye
Week 6
WRBaltimore Ravens#99
Diontae Johnson
PPG
9.3
Games
15
Rec
60
Rec Yds
712
Rec TDs
3
Targets
95
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cooper Kupp
Diontae Johnson

Head to Head

10.8 PPG9.3 PPG
12 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Kupp: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Diontae Johnson: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Cooper Kupp is producing at 49% of elite pace and Diontae Johnson at 42%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Cooper Kupp vs Diontae Johnson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Cooper Kupp and Diontae Johnson for your lineup, you are not alone. Cooper Kupp finished the 2025 season at 10.8 PPG for the Los Angeles Rams (12 games), and Diontae Johnson averaged 9.3 for the Baltimore Ravens (15 games).

That 1.5-point weekly advantage for Cooper Kupp 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. Cooper Kupp turned 92 targets into 748 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Diontae Johnson converted 95 looks into 712 yards and 3 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Cooper Kupp sits Week 6 while Diontae Johnson is off Week 14. 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: Cooper Kupp (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Diontae Johnson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Cooper Kupp outscored Diontae Johnson by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Diontae Johnson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Kupp's 12. That durability gap means Diontae Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Cooper Kupp scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Diontae Johnson saw 95 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Kupp vs Diontae Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCooper KuppDiontae Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)10.89.3
Games Played1215
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)130140
Receptions6260
Rec/Game5.24.0
Receiving Yards748712
Rec Yds/Game62.347.5
Receiving TDs53
Targets9295
Target Share/Game7.76.3
Bye WeekWeek 6Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Cooper Kupp at 10.8 PPG, 1.5 points per game above Diontae Johnson's 9.3. 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cooper Kupp or Diontae Johnson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Cooper Kupp has the edge at 10.8 PPG compared to Diontae Johnson's 9.3 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 Cooper Kupp and Diontae Johnson average in 2025?

Cooper Kupp averaged 10.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Diontae Johnson averaged 9.3 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are Cooper Kupp and Diontae Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?

Cooper Kupp (LAR) has a bye in Week 6, and Diontae Johnson (BAL) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cooper Kupp or Diontae Johnson a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Cooper Kupp outscored Diontae Johnson by 1.5 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.

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