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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Joshua Palmer vs Michael PittmanWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Pittman is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Joshua Palmer's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Pittman is the better fantasy play this season.

Michael Pittman is the better play on a neutral week. 9.6 PPG with 784 yards gives a reliable baseline. Joshua Palmer at 6.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Michael Pittman higher, but do not fade Joshua Palmer entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRLos Angeles Chargers#99
Joshua Palmer
PPG
6.8
Games
14
Rec
42
Rec Yds
498
Rec TDs
2
Targets
65
Bye
Week 5
WRIndianapolis Colts#33PPG LEADER
Michael Pittman
PPG
9.6
Games
17
Rec
80
Rec Yds
784
Rec TDs
7
Targets
111
Bye
Week 13

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Joshua Palmer
Michael Pittman

Head to Head

6.8 PPG9.6 PPG
14 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Joshua Palmer: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Michael Pittman: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Joshua Palmer is producing at 31% of elite pace and Michael Pittman at 44%. That ranking gap means Michael Pittman carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joshua Palmer vs Michael Pittman: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Joshua Palmer and Michael Pittman for your lineup, you are not alone. Joshua Palmer finished the 2025 season at 6.8 PPG for the Los Angeles Chargers (14 games), and Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 for the Indianapolis Colts (17 games).

That 2.8-point weekly advantage for Michael Pittman 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. Michael Pittman saw 111 targets in 2025, while Joshua Palmer drew 65. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Michael Pittman, 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: Joshua Palmer is off Week 5 and Michael Pittman Week 13. 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: Joshua Palmer (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Michael Pittman (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Michael Pittman outscored Joshua Palmer by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Michael Pittman played 17 games in 2025 compared to Joshua Palmer's 14. That durability gap means Michael Pittman contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Michael Pittman scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Michael Pittman saw 111 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joshua Palmer vs Michael Pittman: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJoshua PalmerMichael Pittman
PPG (Half-PPR)6.89.6
Games Played1417
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)95163
Receptions4280
Rec/Game3.04.7
Receiving Yards498784
Rec Yds/Game35.646.1
Receiving TDs27
Targets65111
Target Share/Game4.66.5
Age-28
Experience-5 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 5Week 13

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Michael Pittman at 9.6 PPG, 2.8 points per game above Joshua Palmer's 6.8. 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 Joshua Palmer or Michael Pittman in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Pittman has the edge at 9.6 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 Joshua Palmer and Michael Pittman average in 2025?

Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.8 points per game.

When are Joshua Palmer and Michael Pittman's bye weeks in 2026?

Joshua Palmer (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Michael Pittman (IND) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joshua Palmer or Michael Pittman a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Michael Pittman outscored Joshua Palmer by 2.8 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.