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Head to Head

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Jalen McMillan vs Ricky PearsallWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ricky Pearsall is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Jalen McMillan's 6.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ricky Pearsall is the better fantasy play this season.

Ricky Pearsall is the better play on a neutral week. 7.8 PPG with 526 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jalen McMillan at 6.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Ricky Pearsall higher, but do not fade Jalen McMillan entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRTampa Bay Buccaneers#99
Jalen McMillan
PPG
6.0
Games
4
Rec
12
Rec Yds
178
Targets
15
Bye
Week 11
WRSan Francisco 49ers#52PPG LEADER
Ricky Pearsall
PPG
7.8
Games
9
Rec
36
Rec Yds
528
Targets
53
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jalen McMillan
Ricky Pearsall

Head to Head

6.0 PPG7.8 PPG
4 GP9 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jalen McMillan: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Ricky Pearsall: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #52 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jalen McMillan is producing at 27% of elite pace and Ricky Pearsall at 35%. That ranking gap means Ricky Pearsall carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jalen McMillan vs Ricky Pearsall: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Jalen McMillan and Ricky Pearsall is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver put up 6.0 PPG in 2025 over 4 games; Ricky Pearsall of the San Francisco 49ers averaged 7.8 in 9. A 1.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.8 points favors Ricky Pearsall, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.

Target volume is the story here. Ricky Pearsall saw 53 targets in 2025, while Jalen McMillan drew 15. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Ricky Pearsall, even in weeks where Jalen McMillan posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Jalen McMillan is off Week 11 and Ricky Pearsall Week 8. 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: Jalen McMillan (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Ricky Pearsall (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Ricky Pearsall outscored Jalen McMillan by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Ricky Pearsall played 9 games in 2025 compared to Jalen McMillan's 4. That durability gap means Ricky Pearsall contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Ricky Pearsall saw 53 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 Ricky Pearsall: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJalen McMillanRicky Pearsall
PPG (Half-PPR)6.07.8
Games Played49
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)2470
Receptions1236
Rec/Game3.04.0
Receiving Yards178528
Rec Yds/Game44.558.7
Receiving TDs00
Targets1553
Target Share/Game3.85.9
Age2425
Experience2 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 8

Summary

7.8 PPG for Ricky Pearsall versus 6.0 for Jalen McMillan in 2025. The baseline favors Ricky Pearsall, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jalen McMillan or Ricky Pearsall in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Ricky Pearsall has the edge at 7.8 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 Ricky Pearsall average in 2025?

Jalen McMillan averaged 6.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 4 games in 2025. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are Jalen McMillan and Ricky Pearsall's bye weeks in 2026?

Jalen McMillan (TB) has a bye in Week 11, and Ricky Pearsall (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jalen McMillan or Ricky Pearsall a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Ricky Pearsall outscored Jalen McMillan by 1.8 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.