Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ja'Marr Chase vs Joshua PalmerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ja'Marr Chase is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.7 PPG to Joshua Palmer's 6.8 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 Joshua Palmer by 8.9 PPG in 2025 with 8 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Ja'Marr Chase is the clear pick. Joshua Palmer 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.

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WRCincinnati Bengals#3PPG LEADER

Ja'Marr Chase

PPG

15.7

Games

Rec

125

Rec Yds

1,412

Rec TDs

Targets

185

Bye

Week 6

WRLos Angeles Chargers#99

Joshua Palmer

PPG

6.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

498

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Ja'Marr Chase

Joshua Palmer

Head to Head

15.7 PPG6.8 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Ja'Marr Chase: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #3 at the position). Joshua Palmer: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Ja'Marr Chase is producing at 71% of elite pace and Joshua Palmer at 31%. That ranking gap means Ja'Marr Chase carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ja'Marr Chase vs Joshua Palmer: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two wide receivers. Ja'Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) averaged 15.7 PPG over 16 games in 2025, outscoring Joshua Palmer (Los Angeles Chargers, 6.8 PPG) by 8.9 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 8.9 points favors Ja'Marr Chase, 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. Ja'Marr Chase saw 185 targets in 2025, while Joshua Palmer drew 65. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Ja'Marr Chase, even in weeks where Joshua Palmer posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Ja'Marr Chase is off Week 6 and Joshua Palmer Week 5. 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

Ja'Marr Chase is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Joshua Palmer is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Ja'Marr Chase (age 26) 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?

•Ja'Marr Chase outscored Joshua Palmer by a projected 151 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ja'Marr Chase played 16 games in 2025 compared to Joshua Palmer's 14. That durability gap means Ja'Marr Chase contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ja'Marr Chase scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•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

Ja'Marr Chase vs Joshua Palmer: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ja'Marr Chase	Joshua Palmer
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.7	6.8
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	251	95
Receptions	125	42
Rec/Game	7.8	3.0
Receiving Yards	1,412	498
Rec Yds/Game	88.3	35.6
Receiving TDs	8	2
Targets	185	65
Target Share/Game	11.6	4.6
Age	26	-
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 5

Summary

15.7 PPG for Ja'Marr Chase versus 6.8 for Joshua Palmer in 2025. The baseline favors Ja'Marr Chase, 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 Ja'Marr Chase or Joshua Palmer in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ja'Marr Chase has the edge at 15.7 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 Ja'Marr Chase and Joshua Palmer average in 2025?▾

Ja'Marr Chase averaged 15.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 8.9 points per game.

When are Ja'Marr Chase and Joshua Palmer's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Joshua Palmer (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ja'Marr Chase or Joshua Palmer a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Ja'Marr Chase outscored Joshua Palmer by 8.9 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.