Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Diontae Johnson vs Terry McLaurinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Terry McLaurin is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.5 PPG to Diontae Johnson's 9.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Terry McLaurin is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Terry McLaurin edges Diontae Johnson by 0.2 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, Terry McLaurin 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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WRBaltimore Ravens#99

Diontae Johnson

PPG

9.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

712

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

WRWashington Commanders#35PPG LEADER

Terry McLaurin

PPG

9.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

582

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Diontae Johnson

Terry McLaurin

Head to Head

9.3 PPG9.5 PPG

15 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Diontae Johnson: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Terry McLaurin: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Diontae Johnson is producing at 42% of elite pace and Terry McLaurin at 43%. That ranking gap means Terry McLaurin carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Diontae Johnson vs Terry McLaurin: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Diontae Johnson finished the 2025 season at 9.3 PPG over 15 games with the Baltimore Ravens, while Terry McLaurin clocked in at 9.5 across 10 appearances for the Washington Commanders. 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.

Target volume is the story here. Diontae Johnson saw 95 targets in 2025, while Terry McLaurin drew 60. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Diontae Johnson, even in weeks where Terry McLaurin posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Diontae Johnson is off Week 14 and Terry McLaurin Week 7. 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: Diontae Johnson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Terry McLaurin (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Terry McLaurin outscored Diontae Johnson by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Diontae Johnson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Terry McLaurin's 10. That durability gap means Diontae Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Diontae Johnson scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Diontae Johnson saw 95 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 Terry McLaurin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Diontae Johnson	Terry McLaurin
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.3	9.5
Games Played	15	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	140	95
Receptions	60	38
Rec/Game	4.0	3.8
Receiving Yards	712	582
Rec Yds/Game	47.5	58.2
Receiving TDs	3	3
Targets	95	60
Target Share/Game	6.3	6.0
Age	-	30
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

Terry McLaurin outscored Diontae Johnson by 0.2 PPG in 2025 (9.5 to 9.3). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Diontae Johnson or Terry McLaurin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Terry McLaurin has the edge at 9.5 PPG compared to Diontae Johnson's 9.3 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 Terry McLaurin average in 2025?▾

Diontae Johnson averaged 9.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Terry McLaurin averaged 9.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Diontae Johnson and Terry McLaurin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Diontae Johnson or Terry McLaurin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Terry McLaurin outscored Diontae Johnson 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.