DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Jalen McMillan vs Ja'Marr ChaseWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ja'Marr Chase is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.7 PPG to Jalen McMillan's 6.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ja'Marr Chase is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Ja'Marr Chase outscored Jalen McMillan by 9.7 PPG in 2025 with 8 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Ja'Marr Chase is the clear pick. Jalen McMillan profiles as a matchup-dependent wide receiver who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Jalen McMillan and Ja'Marr Chase in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
WRTampa Bay Buccaneers#99
Jalen McMillan
PPG
6.0
Games
4
Rec
12
Rec Yds
178
Targets
15
Bye
Week 11
WRCincinnati Bengals#3PPG LEADER
Ja'Marr Chase
PPG
15.7
Games
16
Rec
125
Rec Yds
1,412
Rec TDs
8
Targets
185
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jalen McMillan
Ja'Marr Chase

Head to Head

6.0 PPG15.7 PPG
4 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jalen McMillan: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Ja'Marr Chase: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #3 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jalen McMillan is producing at 27% of elite pace and Ja'Marr Chase at 71%. That ranking gap means Ja'Marr Chase carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jalen McMillan vs Ja'Marr Chase: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Ja'Marr Chase put up 15.7 fantasy points per game for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025, while Jalen McMillan managed 6.0 across 4 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A 9.7-point weekly edge is substantial at the wide receiver position.

That 9.7-point weekly advantage for Ja'Marr Chase is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Target volume is the story here. Ja'Marr Chase saw 185 targets in 2025, while Jalen McMillan drew 15. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Ja'Marr Chase, even in weeks where Jalen McMillan posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jalen McMillan sits Week 11 while Ja'Marr Chase is off Week 6. 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

Ja'Marr Chase is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jalen McMillan is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jalen McMillan (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Ja'Marr Chase (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Ja'Marr Chase outscored Jalen McMillan by a projected 165 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Ja'Marr Chase played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jalen McMillan's 4. That durability gap means Ja'Marr Chase contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Ja'Marr Chase saw 185 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jalen McMillan vs Ja'Marr Chase: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJalen McMillanJa'Marr Chase
PPG (Half-PPR)6.015.7
Games Played416
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)24251
Receptions12125
Rec/Game3.07.8
Receiving Yards1781,412
Rec Yds/Game44.588.3
Receiving TDs08
Targets15185
Target Share/Game3.811.6
Age2426
Experience2 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Ja'Marr Chase at 15.7 PPG, 9.7 points per game above Jalen McMillan's 6.0. 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Jalen McMillan vs Ja'Marr Chase

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 Jalen McMillan vs Ja'Marr Chase

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 Jalen McMillan or Ja'Marr Chase in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Ja'Marr Chase has the edge at 15.7 PPG compared to Jalen McMillan's 6.0 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 Jalen McMillan and Ja'Marr Chase average in 2025?

Jalen McMillan averaged 6.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 4 games in 2025. Ja'Marr Chase averaged 15.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 9.7 points per game.

When are Jalen McMillan and Ja'Marr Chase's bye weeks in 2026?

Jalen McMillan (TB) has a bye in Week 11, and Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jalen McMillan or Ja'Marr Chase a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Ja'Marr Chase outscored Jalen McMillan by 9.7 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.