Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DK Metcalf vs Ladd McConkeyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DK Metcalf is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, DK Metcalf and Ladd McConkey are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.3-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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WRPittsburgh Steelers#25PPG LEADER

DK Metcalf

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

850

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

WRLos Angeles Chargers#38

Ladd McConkey

PPG

9.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

789

Rec TDs

Targets

106

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

DK Metcalf

Ladd McConkey

Head to Head

10.5 PPG9.2 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DK Metcalf is producing at 48% of elite pace and Ladd McConkey at 42%. That ranking gap means DK Metcalf carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

DK Metcalf vs Ladd McConkey: The Full Breakdown

DK Metcalf (10.5 PPG) and Ladd McConkey (9.2 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. DK Metcalf played 15 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers; Ladd McConkey suited up 16 times for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 1.3-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. DK Metcalf turned 99 targets into 850 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: DK Metcalf sits Week 9 while Ladd McConkey is off Week 7. 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

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: DK Metcalf (age 28) 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?

•DK Metcalf outscored Ladd McConkey by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ladd McConkey played 16 games in 2025 compared to DK Metcalf's 15. That durability gap means Ladd McConkey 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.
•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 4 years younger than DK Metcalf (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

DK Metcalf vs Ladd McConkey: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DK Metcalf	Ladd McConkey
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.5	9.2
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	158	147
Receptions	59	66
Rec/Game	3.9	4.1
Receiving Yards	850	789
Rec Yds/Game	56.7	49.3
Receiving TDs	6	6
Targets	99	106
Target Share/Game	6.6	6.6
Age	28	24
Experience	6 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor DK Metcalf at 10.5 PPG, 1.3 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 DK Metcalf or Ladd McConkey in fantasy football?▾

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

DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 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 1.3 points per game.

When are DK Metcalf and Ladd McConkey's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Ladd McConkey (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DK Metcalf or Ladd McConkey a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

DK Metcalf outscored Ladd McConkey by 1.3 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.