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Head to Head

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Ladd McConkey vs Tank DellWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ladd McConkey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.2 PPG to Tank Dell's 8.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ladd McConkey is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Ladd McConkey and Tank Dell are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.7-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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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
WRHouston Texans#99
Tank Dell
PPG
8.5
Games
12
Rec
48
Rec Yds
588
Rec TDs
4
Targets
72
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Ladd McConkey
Tank Dell

Head to Head

9.2 PPG8.5 PPG
16 GP12 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Tank Dell: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Ladd McConkey is producing at 42% of elite pace and Tank Dell at 39%. That ranking gap means Ladd McConkey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ladd McConkey vs Tank Dell: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Ladd McConkey and Tank Dell is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.7 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 Tank Dell posted 8.5 with the Houston Texans in 12.

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 Tank Dell drew 72. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Ladd McConkey, even in weeks where Tank Dell 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 Tank Dell rests in Week 14. 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. Tank Dell (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Ladd McConkey outscored Tank Dell by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Ladd McConkey played 16 games in 2025 compared to Tank Dell's 12. 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 Tank Dell: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatLadd McConkeyTank Dell
PPG (Half-PPR)9.28.5
Games Played1612
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)147102
Receptions6648
Rec/Game4.14.0
Receiving Yards789588
Rec Yds/Game49.349.0
Receiving TDs64
Targets10672
Target Share/Game6.66.0
Age24-
Experience1 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 14

Summary

9.2 PPG for Ladd McConkey versus 8.5 for Tank Dell in 2025. The baseline favors Ladd McConkey, 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 Tank Dell in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Ladd McConkey has the edge at 9.2 PPG compared to Tank Dell's 8.5 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 Tank Dell average in 2025?

Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tank Dell averaged 8.5 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Ladd McConkey and Tank Dell's bye weeks in 2026?

Ladd McConkey (LAC) has a bye in Week 7, and Tank Dell (HOU) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ladd McConkey or Tank Dell a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Ladd McConkey outscored Tank Dell by 0.7 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.