DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

DJ Moore vs Ladd McConkeyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ladd McConkey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.2 PPG to DJ Moore's 8.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ladd McConkey is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Ladd McConkey edges DJ Moore by 0.5 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, Ladd McConkey 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track DJ Moore and Ladd McConkey in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
WRChicago Bears#41
DJ Moore
PPG
8.7
Games
17
Rec
50
Rec Yds
682
Rec TDs
6
Targets
85
Bye
Week 10
WRLos Angeles Chargers#38PPG LEADER
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
DJ Moore
Ladd McConkey

Head to Head

8.7 PPG9.2 PPG
17 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

DJ Moore: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #41 at the position). Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DJ Moore is producing at 40% of elite pace and Ladd McConkey at 42%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

DJ Moore vs Ladd McConkey: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. DJ Moore finished the 2025 season at 8.7 PPG over 17 games with the Chicago Bears, while Ladd McConkey clocked in at 9.2 across 16 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers. A 0.5-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. DJ Moore turned 85 targets into 682 yards and 6 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.

One scheduling note: DJ Moore is off Week 10 and Ladd McConkey 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: DJ Moore (age 29) 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?

  • Ladd McConkey outscored DJ Moore by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • DJ Moore played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ladd McConkey's 16. That durability gap means DJ Moore contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • DJ Moore scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 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.
  • Ladd McConkey is 5 years younger than DJ Moore (24 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DJ Moore vs Ladd McConkey: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDJ MooreLadd McConkey
PPG (Half-PPR)8.79.2
Games Played1716
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)148147
Receptions5066
Rec/Game2.94.1
Receiving Yards682789
Rec Yds/Game40.149.3
Receiving TDs66
Targets85106
Target Share/Game5.06.6
Age2924
Experience7 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 7

Summary

Ladd McConkey outscored DJ Moore by 0.5 PPG in 2025 (9.2 to 8.7). 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on DJ Moore vs Ladd McConkey

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 DJ Moore vs Ladd McConkey

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 DJ Moore or Ladd McConkey in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Ladd McConkey has the edge at 9.2 PPG compared to DJ Moore's 8.7 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 DJ Moore and Ladd McConkey average in 2025?

DJ Moore averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are DJ Moore and Ladd McConkey's bye weeks in 2026?

DJ Moore (CHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Ladd McConkey (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DJ Moore or Ladd McConkey a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Ladd McConkey outscored DJ Moore by 0.5 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.

Fantasy Managers Also Compared

Similar matchups other managers are researching right now.