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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Courtland Sutton vs Ricky PearsallWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Courtland Sutton is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.7 PPG to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Courtland Sutton is the better fantasy play this season.

Courtland Sutton is the better play on a neutral week. 10.7 PPG with 1,017 yards gives a reliable baseline. Ricky Pearsall at 7.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Courtland Sutton higher, but do not fade Ricky Pearsall entirely.

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

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WRDenver Broncos#21PPG LEADER
Courtland Sutton
PPG
10.7
Games
17
Rec
74
Rec Yds
1,017
Rec TDs
7
Targets
124
Bye
Week 10
WRSan Francisco 49ers#52
Ricky Pearsall
PPG
7.8
Games
9
Rec
36
Rec Yds
528
Targets
53
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Courtland Sutton
Ricky Pearsall

Head to Head

10.7 PPG7.8 PPG
17 GP9 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Courtland Sutton: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #21 at the position). Ricky Pearsall: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #52 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Courtland Sutton is producing at 49% of elite pace and Ricky Pearsall at 35%. That ranking gap means Courtland Sutton carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Courtland Sutton vs Ricky Pearsall: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Courtland Sutton and Ricky Pearsall is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Denver Broncos wide receiver put up 10.7 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Ricky Pearsall of the San Francisco 49ers averaged 7.8 in 9. A 2.9-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.9 points favors Courtland Sutton, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.

Target volume is the story here. Courtland Sutton saw 124 targets in 2025, while Ricky Pearsall drew 53. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Courtland Sutton, even in weeks where Ricky Pearsall posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Courtland Sutton is off Week 10 and Ricky Pearsall Week 8. 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: Courtland Sutton (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Ricky Pearsall (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Courtland Sutton outscored Ricky Pearsall by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Courtland Sutton played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ricky Pearsall's 9. That durability gap means Courtland Sutton contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Courtland Sutton saw 124 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
  • Ricky Pearsall is 5 years younger than Courtland Sutton (25 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Courtland Sutton vs Ricky Pearsall: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCourtland SuttonRicky Pearsall
PPG (Half-PPR)10.77.8
Games Played179
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)18270
Receptions7436
Rec/Game4.44.0
Receiving Yards1,017528
Rec Yds/Game59.858.7
Receiving TDs70
Targets12453
Target Share/Game7.35.9
Age3025
Experience7 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 8

Summary

10.7 PPG for Courtland Sutton versus 7.8 for Ricky Pearsall in 2025. The baseline favors Courtland Sutton, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Courtland Sutton or Ricky Pearsall in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Courtland Sutton has the edge at 10.7 PPG compared to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 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 Courtland Sutton and Ricky Pearsall average in 2025?

Courtland Sutton averaged 10.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.9 points per game.

When are Courtland Sutton and Ricky Pearsall's bye weeks in 2026?

Courtland Sutton (DEN) has a bye in Week 10, and Ricky Pearsall (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Courtland Sutton or Ricky Pearsall a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Courtland Sutton outscored Ricky Pearsall 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.