Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ladd McConkey vs Michael PittmanWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Pittman is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Pittman is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Michael Pittman edges Ladd McConkey by 0.4 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, Michael Pittman 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#38

Ladd McConkey

PPG

9.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

789

Rec TDs

Targets

106

Bye

Week 7

WRIndianapolis Colts#33PPG LEADER

Michael Pittman

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

784

Rec TDs

Targets

111

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Ladd McConkey

Michael Pittman

Head to Head

9.2 PPG9.6 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Michael Pittman: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Ladd McConkey is producing at 42% of elite pace and Michael Pittman at 44%. That ranking gap means Michael Pittman carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ladd McConkey vs Michael Pittman: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Ladd McConkey finished the 2025 season at 9.2 PPG over 16 games with the Los Angeles Chargers, while Michael Pittman clocked in at 9.6 across 17 appearances for the Indianapolis Colts. A 0.4-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. Ladd McConkey turned 106 targets into 789 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Michael Pittman converted 111 looks into 784 yards and 7 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Ladd McConkey is off Week 7 and Michael Pittman Week 13. 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. Michael Pittman (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Michael Pittman outscored Ladd McConkey by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Pittman played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ladd McConkey's 16. That durability gap means Michael Pittman contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Michael Pittman scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Michael Pittman saw 111 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Ladd McConkey is 4 years younger than Michael Pittman (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ladd McConkey vs Michael Pittman: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ladd McConkey	Michael Pittman
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.2	9.6
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	147	163
Receptions	66	80
Rec/Game	4.1	4.7
Receiving Yards	789	784
Rec Yds/Game	49.3	46.1
Receiving TDs	6	7
Targets	106	111
Target Share/Game	6.6	6.5
Age	24	28
Experience	1 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Michael Pittman holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.6 points per game. Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ladd McConkey or Michael Pittman in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Pittman has the edge at 9.6 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 Michael Pittman average in 2025?▾

Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Ladd McConkey and Michael Pittman's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ladd McConkey (LAC) has a bye in Week 7, and Michael Pittman (IND) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ladd McConkey or Michael Pittman a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Michael Pittman outscored Ladd McConkey by 0.4 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.