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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

DJ Moore vs Ricky PearsallWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DJ Moore is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DJ Moore is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. DJ Moore edges Ricky Pearsall by 0.9 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, DJ Moore 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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WRChicago Bears#41PPG LEADER
DJ Moore
PPG
8.7
Games
17
Rec
50
Rec Yds
682
Rec TDs
6
Targets
85
Bye
Week 10
WRSan Francisco 49ers#52
Ricky Pearsall
PPG
7.8
Games
9
Rec
36
Rec Yds
528
Targets
53
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
DJ Moore
Ricky Pearsall

Head to Head

8.7 PPG7.8 PPG
17 GP9 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

DJ Moore: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #41 at the position). Ricky Pearsall: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #52 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DJ Moore is producing at 40% of elite pace and Ricky Pearsall at 35%. That ranking gap means DJ Moore carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DJ Moore vs Ricky Pearsall: The Full Breakdown

The gap between DJ Moore and Ricky Pearsall is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.9 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. DJ Moore averaged 8.7 PPG with the Chicago Bears across 17 games, and Ricky Pearsall posted 7.8 with the San Francisco 49ers in 9.

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.

Target volume is the story here. DJ Moore saw 85 targets in 2025, while Ricky Pearsall drew 53. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DJ Moore, even in weeks where Ricky Pearsall posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

DJ Moore has his bye in Week 10, and Ricky Pearsall rests in Week 8. 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: DJ Moore (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Ricky Pearsall (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • DJ Moore outscored Ricky Pearsall by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • DJ Moore played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ricky Pearsall's 9. That durability gap means DJ Moore contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • DJ Moore saw 85 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
  • Ricky Pearsall is 4 years younger than DJ Moore (25 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DJ Moore vs Ricky Pearsall: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDJ MooreRicky Pearsall
PPG (Half-PPR)8.77.8
Games Played179
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)14870
Receptions5036
Rec/Game2.94.0
Receiving Yards682528
Rec Yds/Game40.158.7
Receiving TDs60
Targets8553
Target Share/Game5.05.9
Age2925
Experience7 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 8

Summary

DJ Moore outscored Ricky Pearsall by 0.9 PPG in 2025 (8.7 to 7.8). 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 DJ Moore or Ricky Pearsall in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, DJ Moore has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 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 DJ Moore and Ricky Pearsall average in 2025?

DJ Moore averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are DJ Moore and Ricky Pearsall's bye weeks in 2026?

DJ Moore (CHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Ricky Pearsall (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DJ Moore or Ricky Pearsall a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

DJ Moore outscored Ricky Pearsall by 0.9 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.

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