Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ladd McConkey vs Malik NabersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Malik Nabers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.0 PPG to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Malik Nabers is the better fantasy play this season.

Malik Nabers is the better play on a neutral week. 12.0 PPG with 271 yards gives a reliable baseline. Ladd McConkey at 9.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Malik Nabers higher, but do not fade Ladd McConkey entirely.

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

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WRLos Angeles Chargers#38

Ladd McConkey

PPG

9.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

789

Rec TDs

Targets

106

Bye

Week 7

WRNew York Giants#14PPG LEADER

Malik Nabers

PPG

12.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Ladd McConkey

Malik Nabers

Head to Head

9.2 PPG12.0 PPG

16 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Malik Nabers: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #14 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Ladd McConkey is producing at 42% of elite pace and Malik Nabers at 55%. That ranking gap means Malik Nabers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ladd McConkey vs Malik Nabers: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Ladd McConkey and Malik Nabers is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver put up 9.2 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Malik Nabers of the New York Giants averaged 12.0 in 4. A 2.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.8 points favors Malik Nabers, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.

Target volume is the story here. Ladd McConkey saw 106 targets in 2025, while Malik Nabers drew 35. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Ladd McConkey, even in weeks where Malik Nabers posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Ladd McConkey is off Week 7 and Malik Nabers 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: Ladd McConkey (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Malik Nabers (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Malik Nabers outscored Ladd McConkey by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ladd McConkey played 16 games in 2025 compared to Malik Nabers's 4. That durability gap means Ladd McConkey 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.
•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

Ladd McConkey vs Malik Nabers: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ladd McConkey	Malik Nabers
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.2	12.0
Games Played	16	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	147	48
Receptions	66	18
Rec/Game	4.1	4.5
Receiving Yards	789	271
Rec Yds/Game	49.3	67.8
Receiving TDs	6	2
Targets	106	35
Target Share/Game	6.6	8.8
Age	24	22
Experience	1 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 8

Summary

12.0 PPG for Malik Nabers versus 9.2 for Ladd McConkey in 2025. The baseline favors Malik Nabers, 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 Ladd McConkey or Malik Nabers in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Nabers has the edge at 12.0 PPG compared to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 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 Ladd McConkey and Malik Nabers average in 2025?▾

Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 2.8 points per game.

When are Ladd McConkey and Malik Nabers's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ladd McConkey (LAC) has a bye in Week 7, and Malik Nabers (NYG) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ladd McConkey or Malik Nabers a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Malik Nabers outscored Ladd McConkey 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.