Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cooper Kupp vs Zay FlowersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zay Flowers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.8 PPG to Cooper Kupp's 10.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Zay Flowers is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Zay Flowers edges Cooper Kupp by 1.0 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, Zay Flowers 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.

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WRLos Angeles Rams#99

Cooper Kupp

PPG

10.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

748

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

WRBaltimore Ravens#15PPG LEADER

Zay Flowers

PPG

11.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,211

Rec TDs

Targets

118

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Cooper Kupp

Zay Flowers

Head to Head

10.8 PPG11.8 PPG

12 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Kupp: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Zay Flowers: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Cooper Kupp is producing at 49% of elite pace and Zay Flowers at 54%. That ranking gap means Zay Flowers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cooper Kupp vs Zay Flowers: The Full Breakdown

Cooper Kupp (10.8 PPG) and Zay Flowers (11.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Cooper Kupp played 12 games for the Los Angeles Rams; Zay Flowers suited up 17 times for the Baltimore Ravens.

A 1.0-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Target volume is the story here. Zay Flowers saw 118 targets in 2025, while Cooper Kupp drew 92. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Zay Flowers, even in weeks where Cooper Kupp posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Cooper Kupp sits Week 6 while Zay Flowers is off Week 13. 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. Zay Flowers (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Zay Flowers outscored Cooper Kupp by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Zay Flowers played 17 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Kupp's 12. That durability gap means Zay Flowers contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Zay Flowers scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Zay Flowers saw 118 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 Zay Flowers: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Kupp	Zay Flowers
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.8	11.8
Games Played	12	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	130	201
Receptions	62	86
Rec/Game	5.2	5.1
Receiving Yards	748	1,211
Rec Yds/Game	62.3	71.2
Receiving TDs	5	5
Targets	92	118
Target Share/Game	7.7	6.9
Age	-	25
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Zay Flowers holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.8 points per game. Cooper Kupp averaged 10.8 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cooper Kupp or Zay Flowers in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zay Flowers has the edge at 11.8 PPG compared to Cooper Kupp's 10.8 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 Cooper Kupp and Zay Flowers average in 2025?▾

Cooper Kupp averaged 10.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Zay Flowers averaged 11.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Cooper Kupp and Zay Flowers's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cooper Kupp (LAR) has a bye in Week 6, and Zay Flowers (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cooper Kupp or Zay Flowers a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Zay Flowers outscored Cooper Kupp by 1.0 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.