Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ladd McConkey vs Zay FlowersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zay Flowers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.8 PPG to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Zay Flowers is the better fantasy play this season.

Zay Flowers has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.6-PPG advantage is real (11.8 to 9.2), and Zay Flowers's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Ladd McConkey is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

WRBaltimore Ravens#15PPG LEADER

Zay Flowers

PPG

11.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,211

Rec TDs

Targets

118

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Ladd McConkey

Zay Flowers

Head to Head

9.2 PPG11.8 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Zay Flowers: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Ladd McConkey is producing at 42% of elite pace and Zay Flowers at 54%. That ranking gap means Zay Flowers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ladd McConkey vs Zay Flowers: The Full Breakdown

Ladd McConkey and Zay Flowers are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 PPG across 16 games with the Los Angeles Chargers, while Zay Flowers posted 11.8 PPG in 17 appearances for the Baltimore Ravens.

A 2.6-PPG gap gives Zay Flowers the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Ladd McConkey turned 106 targets into 789 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Zay Flowers converted 118 looks into 1211 yards and 5 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 Zay Flowers 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. Zay Flowers (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Zay Flowers outscored Ladd McConkey by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Zay Flowers played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ladd McConkey's 16. That durability gap means Zay Flowers 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.
•Zay Flowers saw 118 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 Zay Flowers: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ladd McConkey	Zay Flowers
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.2	11.8
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	147	201
Receptions	66	86
Rec/Game	4.1	5.1
Receiving Yards	789	1,211
Rec Yds/Game	49.3	71.2
Receiving TDs	6	5
Targets	106	118
Target Share/Game	6.6	6.9
Age	24	25
Experience	1 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 13

Summary

Zay Flowers outscored Ladd McConkey by 2.6 PPG in 2025 (11.8 to 9.2). 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 Ladd McConkey or Zay Flowers in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zay Flowers has the edge at 11.8 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 Zay Flowers average in 2025?▾

Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Zay Flowers averaged 11.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.6 points per game.

When are Ladd McConkey and Zay Flowers's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Ladd McConkey or Zay Flowers a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Zay Flowers outscored Ladd McConkey by 2.6 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.