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Head to Head

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Puka Nacua vs Tyler LockettWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Puka Nacua is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 19.4 PPG to Tyler Lockett's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Puka Nacua is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Puka Nacua outscored Tyler Lockett by 12.5 PPG in 2025 with 11 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Puka Nacua is the clear pick. Tyler Lockett profiles as a matchup-dependent wide receiver who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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WRLos Angeles Rams#1PPG LEADER
Puka Nacua
PPG
19.4
Games
16
Rec
129
Rec Yds
1,715
Rec TDs
10
Targets
166
Bye
Week 11
WRSeattle Seahawks#99
Tyler Lockett
PPG
6.9
Games
15
Rec
48
Rec Yds
548
Rec TDs
2
Targets
72
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Puka Nacua
Tyler Lockett

Head to Head

19.4 PPG6.9 PPG
16 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Puka Nacua: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #1 at the position). Tyler Lockett: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Puka Nacua is producing at 88% of elite pace and Tyler Lockett at 31%. That ranking gap means Puka Nacua carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Puka Nacua vs Tyler Lockett: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two wide receivers. Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams) averaged 19.4 PPG over 16 games in 2025, outscoring Tyler Lockett (Seattle Seahawks, 6.9 PPG) by 12.5 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 12.5-point weekly advantage for Puka Nacua 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. Puka Nacua saw 166 targets in 2025, while Tyler Lockett drew 72. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Puka Nacua, even in weeks where Tyler Lockett posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Puka Nacua is off Week 11 and Tyler Lockett Week 10. 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

Puka Nacua is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Tyler Lockett is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Puka Nacua (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Tyler Lockett (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Puka Nacua outscored Tyler Lockett by a projected 212 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Puka Nacua played 16 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Lockett's 15. That durability gap means Puka Nacua contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Puka Nacua scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Puka Nacua saw 166 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Puka Nacua vs Tyler Lockett: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatPuka NacuaTyler Lockett
PPG (Half-PPR)19.46.9
Games Played1615
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)310104
Receptions12948
Rec/Game8.13.2
Receiving Yards1,715548
Rec Yds/Game107.236.5
Receiving TDs102
Targets16672
Target Share/Game10.44.8
Age25-
Experience2 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Puka Nacua at 19.4 PPG, 12.5 points per game above Tyler Lockett's 6.9. 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 Puka Nacua or Tyler Lockett in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Puka Nacua has the edge at 19.4 PPG compared to Tyler Lockett's 6.9 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 Puka Nacua and Tyler Lockett average in 2025?

Puka Nacua averaged 19.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tyler Lockett averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 12.5 points per game.

When are Puka Nacua and Tyler Lockett's bye weeks in 2026?

Puka Nacua (LAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Tyler Lockett (SEA) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Puka Nacua or Tyler Lockett a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Puka Nacua outscored Tyler Lockett by 12.5 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.