Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jayden Higgins vs Ricky PearsallWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ricky Pearsall is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Jayden Higgins's 6.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ricky Pearsall is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Ricky Pearsall edges Jayden Higgins by 1.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Ricky Pearsall goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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WRHouston Texans#99

Jayden Higgins

PPG

6.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

525

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

WRSan Francisco 49ers#52PPG LEADER

Ricky Pearsall

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Jayden Higgins

Ricky Pearsall

Head to Head

6.4 PPG7.8 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jayden Higgins: 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, Jayden Higgins is producing at 29% 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.

Jayden Higgins vs Ricky Pearsall: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Jayden Higgins finished the 2025 season at 6.4 PPG over 17 games with the Houston Texans, while Ricky Pearsall clocked in at 7.8 across 9 appearances for the San Francisco 49ers. A 1.4-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Jayden Higgins turned 68 targets into 525 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Ricky Pearsall converted 53 looks into 528 yards and undefined scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Jayden Higgins is off Week 14 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: Jayden Higgins (age 23) 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 Jayden Higgins by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jayden Higgins played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ricky Pearsall's 9. That durability gap means Jayden Higgins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jayden Higgins saw 68 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jayden Higgins vs Ricky Pearsall: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jayden Higgins	Ricky Pearsall
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.4	7.8
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	109	70
Receptions	41	36
Rec/Game	2.4	4.0
Receiving Yards	525	528
Rec Yds/Game	30.9	58.7
Receiving TDs	6	0
Targets	68	53
Target Share/Game	4.0	5.9
Age	23	25
Experience	1 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Ricky Pearsall holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.8 points per game. Jayden Higgins averaged 6.4 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 Jayden Higgins or Ricky Pearsall in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ricky Pearsall has the edge at 7.8 PPG compared to Jayden Higgins's 6.4 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 Jayden Higgins and Ricky Pearsall average in 2025?▾

Jayden Higgins averaged 6.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Jayden Higgins and Ricky Pearsall's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jayden Higgins (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Ricky Pearsall (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jayden Higgins or Ricky Pearsall a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Ricky Pearsall outscored Jayden Higgins by 1.4 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.