Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DK Metcalf vs Joshua PalmerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Joshua Palmer's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy play this season.

DK Metcalf has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.7-PPG advantage is real (10.5 to 6.8), and DK Metcalf's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. Joshua Palmer is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRPittsburgh Steelers#25PPG LEADER

DK Metcalf

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

850

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

WRLos Angeles Chargers#99

Joshua Palmer

PPG

6.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

498

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

DK Metcalf

Joshua Palmer

Head to Head

10.5 PPG6.8 PPG

15 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Joshua Palmer: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DK Metcalf is producing at 48% of elite pace and Joshua Palmer at 31%. That ranking gap means DK Metcalf carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DK Metcalf vs Joshua Palmer: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. DK Metcalf (Pittsburgh Steelers) finished the 2025 season averaging 10.5 fantasy points per game in 15 games. Joshua Palmer (Los Angeles Chargers) came in at 6.8 PPG over 14 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

DK Metcalf carries a 3.7-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Target volume is the story here. DK Metcalf saw 99 targets in 2025, while Joshua Palmer drew 65. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DK Metcalf, even in weeks where Joshua Palmer posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: DK Metcalf sits Week 9 while Joshua Palmer is off Week 5. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire DK Metcalf at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. Joshua Palmer is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: DK Metcalf (age 28) 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?

•DK Metcalf outscored Joshua Palmer by a projected 63 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DK Metcalf played 15 games in 2025 compared to Joshua Palmer's 14. That durability gap means DK Metcalf contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•DK Metcalf scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•DK Metcalf saw 99 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DK Metcalf vs Joshua Palmer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DK Metcalf	Joshua Palmer
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.5	6.8
Games Played	15	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	158	95
Receptions	59	42
Rec/Game	3.9	3.0
Receiving Yards	850	498
Rec Yds/Game	56.7	35.6
Receiving TDs	6	2
Targets	99	65
Target Share/Game	6.6	4.6
Age	28	-
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, DK Metcalf holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.5 points per game. Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start DK Metcalf or Joshua Palmer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, DK Metcalf has the edge at 10.5 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 DK Metcalf and Joshua Palmer average in 2025?▾

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.7 points per game.

When are DK Metcalf and Joshua Palmer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Joshua Palmer (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DK Metcalf or Joshua Palmer a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf outscored Joshua Palmer by 3.7 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.