Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Joshua PalmerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Deebo Samuel Sr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.5 PPG to Joshua Palmer's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Deebo Samuel Sr. is the better fantasy play this season.

Deebo Samuel Sr. has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.7-PPG advantage is real (9.5 to 6.8), and Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Joshua Palmer is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Deebo Samuel Sr. and Joshua Palmer in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRWashington Commanders#36PPG LEADER

Deebo Samuel Sr.

PPG

9.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

727

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

WRLos Angeles Chargers#99

Joshua Palmer

PPG

6.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

498

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Deebo Samuel Sr.

Joshua Palmer

Head to Head

9.5 PPG6.8 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). Joshua Palmer: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Deebo Samuel Sr. is producing at 43% of elite pace and Joshua Palmer at 31%. That ranking gap means Deebo Samuel Sr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Joshua Palmer: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Deebo Samuel Sr. (Washington Commanders) finished the 2025 season averaging 9.5 fantasy points per game in 16 games. Joshua Palmer (Los Angeles Chargers) came in at 6.8 PPG over 14 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Deebo Samuel Sr. carries a 2.7-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Target volume is the story here. Deebo Samuel Sr. saw 99 targets in 2025, while Joshua Palmer drew 65. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Deebo Samuel Sr., even in weeks where Joshua Palmer posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Deebo Samuel Sr. sits Week 7 while Joshua Palmer is off Week 5. 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: Deebo Samuel Sr. (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?

•Deebo Samuel Sr. outscored Joshua Palmer by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Deebo Samuel Sr. played 16 games in 2025 compared to Joshua Palmer's 14. That durability gap means Deebo Samuel Sr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Deebo Samuel Sr. scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Deebo Samuel Sr. saw 99 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Joshua Palmer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deebo Samuel Sr.	Joshua Palmer
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.5	6.8
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	152	95
Receptions	72	42
Rec/Game	4.5	3.0
Receiving Yards	727	498
Rec Yds/Game	45.4	35.6
Receiving TDs	5	2
Targets	99	65
Target Share/Game	6.2	4.6
Age	30	-
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Deebo Samuel Sr. holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.5 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 Deebo Samuel Sr. 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 Deebo Samuel Sr. 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 Deebo Samuel Sr. or Joshua Palmer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Deebo Samuel Sr. has the edge at 9.5 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 Deebo Samuel Sr. and Joshua Palmer average in 2025?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

When are Deebo Samuel Sr. and Joshua Palmer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Joshua Palmer (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deebo Samuel Sr. or Joshua Palmer a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. outscored Joshua Palmer by 2.7 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.