Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Demario Douglas vs Joshua PalmerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Demario Douglas is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.0 PPG to Joshua Palmer's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Demario Douglas is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Demario Douglas and Joshua Palmer are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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WRNew England Patriots#99PPG LEADER

Demario Douglas

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

548

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

WRLos Angeles Chargers#99

Joshua Palmer

PPG

6.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

498

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Demario Douglas

Joshua Palmer

Head to Head

7.0 PPG6.8 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Demario Douglas: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Joshua Palmer: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Demario Douglas is producing at 32% of elite pace and Joshua Palmer at 31%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Demario Douglas vs Joshua Palmer: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Demario Douglas finished the 2025 season at 7.0 PPG over 16 games with the New England Patriots, while Joshua Palmer clocked in at 6.8 across 14 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers. A 0.2-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. Demario Douglas turned 82 targets into 548 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: Demario Douglas is off Week 14 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: Demario Douglas (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Joshua Palmer (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Demario Douglas outscored Joshua Palmer by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Demario Douglas played 16 games in 2025 compared to Joshua Palmer's 14. That durability gap means Demario Douglas contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Demario Douglas scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Demario Douglas saw 82 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Demario Douglas vs Joshua Palmer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Demario Douglas	Joshua Palmer
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.0	6.8
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	112	95
Receptions	55	42
Rec/Game	3.4	3.0
Receiving Yards	548	498
Rec Yds/Game	34.3	35.6
Receiving TDs	2	2
Targets	82	65
Target Share/Game	5.1	4.6
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 5

Summary

7.0 PPG for Demario Douglas versus 6.8 for Joshua Palmer in 2025. The baseline favors Demario Douglas, 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 Demario Douglas or Joshua Palmer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Demario Douglas has the edge at 7.0 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 Demario Douglas and Joshua Palmer average in 2025?▾

Demario Douglas averaged 7.0 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 0.2 points per game.

When are Demario Douglas and Joshua Palmer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Demario Douglas (NE) has a bye in Week 14, and Joshua Palmer (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Demario Douglas or Joshua Palmer a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Demario Douglas outscored Joshua Palmer by 0.2 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.