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Head to Head

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Joshua Palmer vs Xavier WorthyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joshua Palmer is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.8 PPG to Xavier Worthy's 6.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joshua Palmer is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Joshua Palmer and Xavier Worthy are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.5-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#99PPG LEADER
Joshua Palmer
PPG
6.8
Games
14
Rec
42
Rec Yds
498
Rec TDs
2
Targets
65
Bye
Week 5
WRKansas City Chiefs#99
Xavier Worthy
PPG
6.3
Games
14
Rec
42
Rec Yds
532
Rec TDs
1
Targets
73
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Joshua Palmer
Xavier Worthy

Head to Head

6.8 PPG6.3 PPG
14 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Joshua Palmer: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Xavier Worthy: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Joshua Palmer is producing at 31% of elite pace and Xavier Worthy at 29%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Joshua Palmer vs Xavier Worthy: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Joshua Palmer and Xavier Worthy is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.5 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 PPG with the Los Angeles Chargers across 14 games, and Xavier Worthy posted 6.3 with the Kansas City Chiefs in 14.

When two wide receivers are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Joshua Palmer turned 65 targets into 498 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Xavier Worthy converted 73 looks into 532 yards and 1 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Joshua Palmer has his bye in Week 5, and Xavier Worthy rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. Xavier Worthy (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Joshua Palmer outscored Xavier Worthy by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Joshua Palmer scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Xavier Worthy saw 73 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 Xavier Worthy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJoshua PalmerXavier Worthy
PPG (Half-PPR)6.86.3
Games Played1414
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)9588
Receptions4242
Rec/Game3.03.0
Receiving Yards498532
Rec Yds/Game35.638.0
Receiving TDs21
Targets6573
Target Share/Game4.65.2
Age-23
Experience-2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 5Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Joshua Palmer at 6.8 PPG, 0.5 points per game above Xavier Worthy's 6.3. 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 Xavier Worthy in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Joshua Palmer has the edge at 6.8 PPG compared to Xavier Worthy's 6.3 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 Xavier Worthy average in 2025?

Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Xavier Worthy averaged 6.3 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Joshua Palmer and Xavier Worthy's bye weeks in 2026?

Joshua Palmer (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Xavier Worthy (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joshua Palmer or Xavier Worthy a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Joshua Palmer outscored Xavier Worthy by 0.5 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.