DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Ladd McConkey vs Ricky PearsallWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ladd McConkey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.2 PPG to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 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 Ricky Pearsall by 1.4 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, 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Ladd McConkey and Ricky Pearsall in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
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
WRSan Francisco 49ers#52
Ricky Pearsall
PPG
7.8
Games
9
Rec
36
Rec Yds
528
Targets
53
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Ladd McConkey
Ricky Pearsall

Head to Head

9.2 PPG7.8 PPG
16 GP9 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Ricky Pearsall: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #52 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Ladd McConkey is producing at 42% of elite pace and Ricky Pearsall at 35%. That ranking gap means Ladd McConkey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ladd McConkey vs Ricky Pearsall: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Ladd McConkey and Ricky Pearsall is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.4 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 PPG with the Los Angeles Chargers across 16 games, and Ricky Pearsall posted 7.8 with the San Francisco 49ers in 9.

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.

Target volume is the story here. Ladd McConkey saw 106 targets in 2025, while Ricky Pearsall drew 53. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Ladd McConkey, even in weeks where Ricky Pearsall posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Ladd McConkey has his bye in Week 7, and Ricky Pearsall rests in Week 8. 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: Ladd McConkey (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Ricky Pearsall (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Ladd McConkey outscored Ricky Pearsall by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Ladd McConkey played 16 games in 2025 compared to Ricky Pearsall's 9. That durability gap means Ladd McConkey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • 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 Ricky Pearsall: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatLadd McConkeyRicky Pearsall
PPG (Half-PPR)9.27.8
Games Played169
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)14770
Receptions6636
Rec/Game4.14.0
Receiving Yards789528
Rec Yds/Game49.358.7
Receiving TDs60
Targets10653
Target Share/Game6.65.9
Age2425
Experience1 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 8

Summary

Ladd McConkey outscored Ricky Pearsall by 1.4 PPG in 2025 (9.2 to 7.8). 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Ladd McConkey vs Ricky Pearsall

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Ladd McConkey vs Ricky Pearsall

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ladd McConkey or Ricky Pearsall in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Ladd McConkey has the edge at 9.2 PPG compared to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 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 Ricky Pearsall average in 2025?

Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Ladd McConkey and Ricky Pearsall's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Ladd McConkey or Ricky Pearsall a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Ladd McConkey outscored Ricky Pearsall by 1.4 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.