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Diontae Johnson vs Ladd McConkeyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Diontae Johnson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.3 PPG to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Diontae Johnson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Diontae Johnson and Ladd McConkey are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-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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WRBaltimore Ravens#99PPG LEADER
Diontae Johnson
PPG
9.3
Games
15
Rec
60
Rec Yds
712
Rec TDs
3
Targets
95
Bye
Week 14
WRLos Angeles Chargers#38
Ladd McConkey
PPG
9.2
Games
16
Rec
66
Rec Yds
789
Rec TDs
6
Targets
106
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Diontae Johnson
Ladd McConkey

Head to Head

9.3 PPG9.2 PPG
15 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Diontae Johnson: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Diontae Johnson is producing at 42% of elite pace and Ladd McConkey at 42%. That ranking gap means Ladd McConkey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Diontae Johnson vs Ladd McConkey: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Diontae Johnson and Ladd McConkey is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Diontae Johnson averaged 9.3 PPG with the Baltimore Ravens across 15 games, and Ladd McConkey posted 9.2 with the Los Angeles Chargers in 16.

When two wide receivers are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Diontae Johnson turned 95 targets into 712 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Ladd McConkey converted 106 looks into 789 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Diontae Johnson has his bye in Week 14, and Ladd McConkey rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Diontae Johnson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Ladd McConkey (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Diontae Johnson outscored Ladd McConkey by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Ladd McConkey played 16 games in 2025 compared to Diontae Johnson's 15. That durability gap means Ladd McConkey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Ladd McConkey scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Ladd McConkey saw 106 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Diontae Johnson vs Ladd McConkey: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDiontae JohnsonLadd McConkey
PPG (Half-PPR)9.39.2
Games Played1516
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)140147
Receptions6066
Rec/Game4.04.1
Receiving Yards712789
Rec Yds/Game47.549.3
Receiving TDs36
Targets95106
Target Share/Game6.36.6
Age-24
Experience-1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Diontae Johnson at 9.3 PPG, 0.1 points per game above Ladd McConkey's 9.2. 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 Diontae Johnson or Ladd McConkey in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Diontae Johnson has the edge at 9.3 PPG compared to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 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 Diontae Johnson and Ladd McConkey average in 2025?

Diontae Johnson averaged 9.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Diontae Johnson and Ladd McConkey's bye weeks in 2026?

Diontae Johnson (BAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Ladd McConkey (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Diontae Johnson or Ladd McConkey a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Diontae Johnson outscored Ladd McConkey by 0.1 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.