Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Keenan Allen vs Ladd McConkeyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ladd McConkey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.2 PPG to Keenan Allen's 8.4 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 Keenan Allen by 0.8 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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WRLos Angeles Chargers#45

Keenan Allen

PPG

8.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

777

Rec TDs

Targets

122

Bye

Week 7

WRLos Angeles Chargers#38PPG LEADER

Ladd McConkey

PPG

9.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

789

Rec TDs

Targets

106

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Keenan Allen

Ladd McConkey

Head to Head

8.4 PPG9.2 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Keenan Allen: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #45 at the position). Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Keenan Allen is producing at 38% 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.

Keenan Allen vs Ladd McConkey: The Full Breakdown

Keenan Allen (8.4 PPG) and Ladd McConkey (9.2 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Keenan Allen played 17 games for the Los Angeles Chargers; Ladd McConkey suited up 16 times for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 0.8-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Keenan Allen turned 122 targets into 777 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Ladd McConkey converted 106 looks into 789 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 7 bye. That means you need a backup plan at wide receiver for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Keenan Allen (age 34) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Ladd McConkey (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Ladd McConkey outscored Keenan Allen by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Keenan Allen played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ladd McConkey's 16. That durability gap means Keenan Allen contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ladd McConkey scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Keenan Allen saw 122 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Ladd McConkey is 10 years younger than Keenan Allen (24 vs 34), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Keenan Allen vs Ladd McConkey: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Keenan Allen	Ladd McConkey
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.4	9.2
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	143	147
Receptions	81	66
Rec/Game	4.8	4.1
Receiving Yards	777	789
Rec Yds/Game	45.7	49.3
Receiving TDs	4	6
Targets	122	106
Target Share/Game	7.2	6.6
Age	34	24
Experience	12 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

Ladd McConkey outscored Keenan Allen by 0.8 PPG in 2025 (9.2 to 8.4). 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 Keenan Allen or Ladd McConkey in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ladd McConkey has the edge at 9.2 PPG compared to Keenan Allen's 8.4 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 Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey average in 2025?▾

Keenan Allen averaged 8.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

Do Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.

Is Keenan Allen or Ladd McConkey a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Ladd McConkey outscored Keenan Allen by 0.8 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.