Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Joshua Palmer vs Ryan FlournoyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ryan Flournoy is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.2 PPG to Joshua Palmer's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ryan Flournoy is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Ryan Flournoy and Joshua Palmer are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.4-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#99

Joshua Palmer

PPG

6.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

498

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

WRDallas Cowboys#55PPG LEADER

Ryan Flournoy

PPG

7.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

475

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Joshua Palmer

Ryan Flournoy

Head to Head

6.8 PPG7.2 PPG

14 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Joshua Palmer: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Ryan Flournoy: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #55 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Joshua Palmer is producing at 31% of elite pace and Ryan Flournoy at 33%. That ranking gap means Ryan Flournoy carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joshua Palmer vs Ryan Flournoy: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Joshua Palmer finished the 2025 season at 6.8 PPG over 14 games with the Los Angeles Chargers, while Ryan Flournoy clocked in at 7.2 across 13 appearances for the Dallas Cowboys. A 0.4-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Joshua Palmer turned 65 targets into 498 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Ryan Flournoy converted 56 looks into 475 yards and 4 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Joshua Palmer is off Week 5 and Ryan Flournoy Week 14. 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: Joshua Palmer (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Ryan Flournoy (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Ryan Flournoy outscored Joshua Palmer by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joshua Palmer played 14 games in 2025 compared to Ryan Flournoy's 13. That durability gap means Joshua Palmer contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ryan Flournoy scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Joshua Palmer saw 65 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joshua Palmer vs Ryan Flournoy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joshua Palmer	Ryan Flournoy
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.8	7.2
Games Played	14	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	95	94
Receptions	42	40
Rec/Game	3.0	3.1
Receiving Yards	498	475
Rec Yds/Game	35.6	36.5
Receiving TDs	2	4
Targets	65	56
Target Share/Game	4.6	4.3
Age	-	26
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Ryan Flournoy at 7.2 PPG, 0.4 points per game above Joshua Palmer's 6.8. 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 Joshua Palmer or Ryan Flournoy in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ryan Flournoy has the edge at 7.2 PPG compared to Joshua Palmer's 6.8 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 Joshua Palmer and Ryan Flournoy average in 2025?▾

Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Ryan Flournoy averaged 7.2 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Joshua Palmer and Ryan Flournoy's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joshua Palmer (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Ryan Flournoy (DAL) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joshua Palmer or Ryan Flournoy a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Ryan Flournoy outscored Joshua Palmer by 0.4 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.