Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joshua Palmer vs Ricky PearsallWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ricky Pearsall is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Joshua Palmer's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ricky Pearsall is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Ricky Pearsall and Joshua Palmer are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.0-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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WRLos Angeles Chargers#99

Joshua Palmer

PPG

6.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

498

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

WRSan Francisco 49ers#52PPG LEADER

Ricky Pearsall

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Joshua Palmer

Ricky Pearsall

Head to Head

6.8 PPG7.8 PPG

14 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Joshua Palmer: 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, Joshua Palmer is producing at 31% 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.

Joshua Palmer vs Ricky Pearsall: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Joshua Palmer finished the 2025 season at 6.8 PPG over 14 games with the Los Angeles Chargers, while Ricky Pearsall clocked in at 7.8 across 9 appearances for the San Francisco 49ers. A 1.0-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. Joshua Palmer turned 65 targets into 498 yards and 2 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: Joshua Palmer is off Week 5 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: Joshua Palmer (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Ricky Pearsall (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Ricky Pearsall outscored Joshua Palmer by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joshua Palmer played 14 games in 2025 compared to Ricky Pearsall's 9. That durability gap means Joshua Palmer contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Joshua Palmer saw 65 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 Ricky Pearsall: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joshua Palmer	Ricky Pearsall
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.8	7.8
Games Played	14	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	95	70
Receptions	42	36
Rec/Game	3.0	4.0
Receiving Yards	498	528
Rec Yds/Game	35.6	58.7
Receiving TDs	2	0
Targets	65	53
Target Share/Game	4.6	5.9
Age	-	25
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 8

Summary

7.8 PPG for Ricky Pearsall versus 6.8 for Joshua Palmer 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 Joshua Palmer or Ricky Pearsall in fantasy football?▾

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

Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Joshua Palmer and Ricky Pearsall's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joshua Palmer (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Ricky Pearsall (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joshua Palmer or Ricky Pearsall a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Ricky Pearsall outscored Joshua Palmer by 1.0 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.