Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Wilson vs Ricky PearsallWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Wilson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.7 PPG to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Wilson is the better fantasy play this season.

Michael Wilson is the better play on a neutral week. 10.7 PPG with 1,006 yards gives a reliable baseline. Ricky Pearsall at 7.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Michael Wilson higher, but do not fade Ricky Pearsall entirely.

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

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WRArizona Cardinals#24PPG LEADER

Michael Wilson

PPG

10.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,006

Rec TDs

Targets

126

Bye

Week 14

WRSan Francisco 49ers#52

Ricky Pearsall

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Michael Wilson

Ricky Pearsall

Head to Head

10.7 PPG7.8 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Wilson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #24 at the position). Ricky Pearsall: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #52 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Michael Wilson is producing at 49% of elite pace and Ricky Pearsall at 35%. That ranking gap means Michael Wilson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Wilson vs Ricky Pearsall: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Michael Wilson and Ricky Pearsall for your lineup, you are not alone. Michael Wilson finished the 2025 season at 10.7 PPG for the Arizona Cardinals (17 games), and Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 for the San Francisco 49ers (9 games).

That 2.9-point weekly advantage for Michael Wilson is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Target volume is the story here. Michael Wilson saw 126 targets in 2025, while Ricky Pearsall drew 53. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Michael Wilson, even in weeks where Ricky Pearsall posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Michael Wilson is off Week 14 and Ricky Pearsall 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: Michael Wilson (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Ricky Pearsall (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Michael Wilson outscored Ricky Pearsall by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Wilson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ricky Pearsall's 9. That durability gap means Michael Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Michael Wilson saw 126 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Wilson vs Ricky Pearsall: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Wilson	Ricky Pearsall
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.7	7.8
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	182	70
Receptions	78	36
Rec/Game	4.6	4.0
Receiving Yards	1,006	528
Rec Yds/Game	59.2	58.7
Receiving TDs	7	0
Targets	126	53
Target Share/Game	7.4	5.9
Age	26	25
Experience	2 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Michael Wilson at 10.7 PPG, 2.9 points per game above Ricky Pearsall's 7.8. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Wilson or Ricky Pearsall in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Wilson has the edge at 10.7 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 Michael Wilson and Ricky Pearsall average in 2025?▾

Michael Wilson averaged 10.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.9 points per game.

When are Michael Wilson and Ricky Pearsall's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Wilson (ARI) has a bye in Week 14, and Ricky Pearsall (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Wilson or Ricky Pearsall a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Michael Wilson outscored Ricky Pearsall by 2.9 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.