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Kayshon Boutte vs Ladd McConkeyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ladd McConkey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.2 PPG to Kayshon Boutte's 7.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ladd McConkey is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Ladd McConkey edges Kayshon Boutte by 1.5 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, Ladd McConkey 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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WRNew England Patriots#53
Kayshon Boutte
PPG
7.7
Games
14
Rec
33
Rec Yds
551
Rec TDs
6
Targets
46
Bye
Week 11
WRLos Angeles Chargers#38PPG LEADER
Ladd McConkey
PPG
9.2
Games
16
Rec
66
Rec Yds
789
Rec TDs
6
Targets
106
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Kayshon Boutte
Ladd McConkey

Head to Head

7.7 PPG9.2 PPG
14 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Kayshon Boutte: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #53 at the position). Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Kayshon Boutte is producing at 35% of elite pace and Ladd McConkey at 42%. That ranking gap means Ladd McConkey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kayshon Boutte vs Ladd McConkey: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Kayshon Boutte finished the 2025 season at 7.7 PPG over 14 games with the New England Patriots, while Ladd McConkey clocked in at 9.2 across 16 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers. A 1.5-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.

Target volume is the story here. Ladd McConkey saw 106 targets in 2025, while Kayshon Boutte drew 46. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Ladd McConkey, even in weeks where Kayshon Boutte posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Kayshon Boutte is off Week 11 and Ladd McConkey Week 7. 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: Kayshon Boutte (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Ladd McConkey (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Ladd McConkey outscored Kayshon Boutte by a projected 25 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Ladd McConkey played 16 games in 2025 compared to Kayshon Boutte's 14. That durability gap means Ladd McConkey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Kayshon Boutte scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Ladd McConkey saw 106 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kayshon Boutte vs Ladd McConkey: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatKayshon BoutteLadd McConkey
PPG (Half-PPR)7.79.2
Games Played1416
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)108147
Receptions3366
Rec/Game2.44.1
Receiving Yards551789
Rec Yds/Game39.449.3
Receiving TDs66
Targets46106
Target Share/Game3.36.6
Age2424
Experience2 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 7

Summary

Ladd McConkey outscored Kayshon Boutte by 1.5 PPG in 2025 (9.2 to 7.7). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Kayshon Boutte or Ladd McConkey in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Ladd McConkey has the edge at 9.2 PPG compared to Kayshon Boutte's 7.7 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 Kayshon Boutte and Ladd McConkey average in 2025?

Kayshon Boutte averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are Kayshon Boutte and Ladd McConkey's bye weeks in 2026?

Kayshon Boutte (NE) has a bye in Week 11, and Ladd McConkey (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kayshon Boutte or Ladd McConkey a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Ladd McConkey outscored Kayshon Boutte by 1.5 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.