Metcalf
WR · PIT vs CLE
Final pts
16.5pts
12.8 proj · +3.7
McConkey
WR · LAC vs SEA
Proj pts
12.2pts
market
DK Metcalf or Ladd McConkey: who should I start in Week 4?
Toss-up: lean DK Metcalf over Ladd McConkey by 0.6. DK Metcalf leads at 12.8. Ladd McConkey is the first one out, 0.6 short.
Crowd: 54% of managers started Metcalf, 69% started McConkey.
Availability & news
DK Metcalf
Metcalf brought in five of nine targets for 115 yards in the Steelers' 27-24 loss to the Browns on Thursday.(rotowire, Oct 2, 2026)
Ladd McConkeyPractice: Limited
McConkey (foot) was seen walking out of the locker room with a limp after not taking part in Thursday's practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN reports.(rotowire, Oct 1, 2026)
Highlights
Pros
- Every-down role87% of snaps
Cons
- Tough matchupTough · D- vs WR
Cons
- Low team total17.8 team total
- Tough matchupTough · D vs WR
Some recent form, opportunity and matchup figures still lean on the 2025 season (not enough games played this season yet).
Week 4 · Updated Tue 29 Sep, 6:00 AM ET
The widest gap between them, in proportion, is bust rate: Metcalf 13%, McConkey 31%.
Metcalf: “Metcalf brought in five of nine targets for 115 yards in the Steelers' 27-24 loss to the Browns on Thursday.” — RotoWire, Oct 2, 2026.
McConkey (Practice: Limited): “McConkey (foot) was seen walking out of the locker room with a limp after not taking part in Thursday's practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN reports.” — RotoWire, Oct 1, 2026.
Latest game on the card: Metcalf 12.1, McConkey 10.6 (PPR points).
Why DK Metcalf
Start DK Metcalf — projects 12.8, a tough matchup vs CLE.
DK Metcalf projects 12.8 points on a 7.6–15.1 range. The matchup grades as tough against CLE. Usage: targets / game at 6.6. Net: start DK Metcalf this week.
Working for Metcalf: Every-down role (87% of snaps).
Working against Metcalf: Tough matchup (Tough · D- vs WR).
Where Metcalf leads the head-to-head: Projection (12.8 vs 12.2); Floor (7.6 vs 4.2); Target share (22% vs 21%); Implied team total (20.5 vs 17.8); Consistency (55% vs 41%); Boom rate (20% vs 19%); Bust rate (13% vs 31%); Snap share (87% vs 78%).
Why Ladd McConkey
Sit Ladd McConkey — projects 12.2, a tough matchup vs SEA.
Ladd McConkey projects 12.2 points on a 4.2–17.5 range. The matchup grades as tough against SEA. Usage: targets / game at 6.6. Net: bench Ladd McConkey this week.
Working against McConkey: Low team total (17.8 team total), Tough matchup (Tough · D vs WR).
Where McConkey leads the head-to-head: Ceiling (17.5 vs 15.1); Matchup grade (recency weighted) (D vs D-); Last 3 avg (12.1 vs 8.9); Last 5 avg (10.9 vs 9.9); vs season (+0.9 vs -1.0); Red zone targets (15 vs 13).
Recent form
DK Metcalf's last 5 games: PPR points 14.5, 8.2, 8, 6.7, 12.1 (oldest to newest).
Ladd McConkey's last 5 games: PPR points 14.3, 4.1, 19.2, 6.5, 10.6 (oldest to newest).
Metcalf has already beaten McConkey's 12.2 projection in 1 of his 5; McConkey has beaten Metcalf's 12.8 in 2 of his 5.
At least 1 of these 5 games was played before the 2026 season.
Matchup
DK Metcalf (PIT) played CLE (final: CLE 27 – 24 PIT). The matchup is rated tough. Betting line: implied team total 20.5, spread -2.5.
Ladd McConkey (LAC) faces SEA, kickoff Sun, Oct 4, 4:25 PM ET. The matchup is rated tough. Betting line: implied team total 17.8, spread +7.0.
What flips it
Metcalf's edge is 0.6 points (12.8 to 12.2). McConkey's ceiling (17.5) clears Metcalf's projection, so a big game from McConkey flips it. Metcalf's floor (7.6) sits under McConkey's projection, so a quiet game from Metcalf flips it too. Confidence in the call: moderate.
More start/sit comparisons from this week's PPR projections. Open a pair for the call and the reasoning.
More DK Metcalf comparisons
- Carnell Tate or DK Metcalf12.8 · 12.8
- Devaughn Vele or DK Metcalf13.2 · 12.8
- DK Metcalf or Justin Jefferson12.8 · 12.3
- DK Metcalf or Stefon Diggs12.8 · 13.5
More Ladd McConkey comparisons
- Justin Jefferson or Ladd McConkey12.3 · 12.2
- Ladd McConkey or Mack Hollins12.2 · 12.2
- KC Concepcion or Ladd McConkey12.1 · 12.2
- Courtland Sutton or Ladd McConkey12.0 · 12.2
This week's toughest calls
- Christian Watson or Tee Higgins16.8 · 16.8
- Jaylen Waddle or Matthew Golden15.3 · 15.3
- Makai Lemon or Michael Pittman10.7 · 10.7
- KC Concepcion or Mack Hollins12.1 · 12.2
- Jakobi Meyers or Romeo Doubs11.8 · 11.8
- Malik Washington or Xavier Worthy11.3 · 11.3
- More WR start/sit calls (wide receivers this week)