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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Joshua Palmer vs Tyler LockettWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Tyler Lockett over Joshua Palmer in 2026.

Tyler Lockett (6.9 PPG) and Joshua Palmer (6.8) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Both play wide receivers, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

Statistically, Tyler Lockett and Joshua Palmer are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-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

WRSeattle Seahawks#99PPG LEADER

Tyler Lockett

PPG

6.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

548

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Joshua Palmer

Tyler Lockett

Head to Head

6.8 PPG6.9 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Joshua Palmer: Unranked WR. Tyler Lockett: Unranked WR. Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Joshua Palmer is producing at 31% of elite pace and Tyler Lockett at 31%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Joshua Palmer vs Tyler Lockett: The Full Breakdown

Joshua Palmer (6.8 PPG) and Tyler Lockett (6.9 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Joshua Palmer played 14 games for the Los Angeles Chargers; Tyler Lockett suited up 15 times for the Seattle Seahawks.

A 0.1-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Joshua Palmer turned 65 targets into 498 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Tyler Lockett converted 72 looks into 548 yards and 2 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Joshua Palmer sits Week 5 while Tyler Lockett is off Week 10. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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. Tyler Lockett (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Lockett outscored Joshua Palmer by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tyler Lockett played 15 games in 2025 compared to Joshua Palmer's 14. That durability gap means Tyler Lockett contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Joshua Palmer scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Tyler Lockett saw 72 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 Tyler Lockett: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joshua Palmer	Tyler Lockett
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.8	6.9
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	95	104
Receptions	42	48
Rec/Game	3.0	3.2
Receiving Yards	498	548
Rec Yds/Game	35.6	36.5
Receiving TDs	2	2
Targets	65	72
Target Share/Game	4.6	4.8
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Tyler Lockett at 6.9 PPG, 0.1 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 Tyler Lockett in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Lockett has the edge at 6.9 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 Tyler Lockett average in 2025?▾

Joshua Palmer averaged 6.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Tyler Lockett averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Joshua Palmer and Tyler Lockett's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joshua Palmer (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Tyler Lockett (SEA) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joshua Palmer or Tyler Lockett a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Tyler Lockett outscored Joshua Palmer by 0.1 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.