Start Ladd McConkey or DK Metcalf? Week 3

Our Week 3 call

Start DK Metcalf over Ladd McConkey in Week 3.

De-vigged player props project DK Metcalf at 12.4 points and Ladd McConkey at 12.2, a gap of 0.2. That is inside the noise of a single catch, so treat it as close to a coin flip. DK Metcalf's number is scaled up from a partial market: the books have not posted every stat the position needs, so the rest is estimated from what they have.

What the books imply

Player prop markets imply 12.4 fantasy points for DK Metcalf, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The books have DK Metcalf at 52.5 receiving yards and 4.5 receptions, with a 30% chance to score a touchdown (14, 12 and 15 books).

Player prop markets imply 12.2 fantasy points for Ladd McConkey, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The books have Ladd McConkey at 54.5 receiving yards and 4.5 receptions, with a 31% chance to score a touchdown (14, 12 and 15 books).

That puts DK Metcalf 0.2 points ahead of Ladd McConkey on the books.

Week 3 matchups

Ladd McConkey and LAC visit BUF on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.

BUF allowed 42.6 fantasy points a game to WRs this season over 2 games, the 3rd most in the league.

Receivers caught passes for 197 yards and 1.5 touchdowns a game against BUF.

Injury status

DK Metcalf is not on the injury report.

Ladd McConkey is not on the injury report.

Usage before Week 3

Through Week 2, DK Metcalf played 96 percent of PIT snaps, drew 26 percent of the targets, earned 43 percent of the air yards and had 0 percent of the red zone chances.

DK Metcalf, Week 1 against ATL: 64 of 67 snaps, 10 targets and 4 catches for 40 yards.

DK Metcalf, Week 2 against NE: 68 of 70 snaps, 9 targets and 4 catches for 27 yards.

Through Week 2, Ladd McConkey played 47 percent of LAC snaps, drew 19 percent of the targets, earned 24 percent of the air yards and had 14 percent of the red zone chances.

Ladd McConkey, Week 1 against ARI: 27 of 55 snaps, 7 targets and 5 catches for 82 yards, 1 touchdown.

Ladd McConkey, Week 2 against LV: 31 of 68 snaps, 3 targets and 3 catches for 35 yards.

Their 2025 seasons

In 2025, DK Metcalf played 15 games for PIT and scored 187.2 PPR points, 12.5 a game, finishing WR26.

He caught 59 of 99 targets for 850 yards and 6 touchdowns, with 13 red zone targets and 436 air yards.

He was on the field for 87 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

DK Metcalf, Week 16 of 2025 against DET: 65 of 74 snaps, 9 targets and 4 catches for 42 yards, 8.2 PPR points.

In 2025, Ladd McConkey played 16 games for LAC and scored 180.9 PPR points, 11.3 a game, finishing WR30.

He caught 66 of 106 targets for 789 yards and 6 touchdowns, with 14 red zone targets and 479 air yards.

He was on the field for 78 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

Ladd McConkey, Week 17 of 2025 against HOU: 56 of 63 snaps, 2 targets and 1 catch for 31 yards, 4.1 PPR points.

Their other Week 3 calls

• Start Dalton Kincaid over DK Metcalf.
• Start DK Metcalf over Devaughn Vele.
• Start DK Metcalf over DJ Moore.
• Start Chris Olave over Ladd McConkey.
• Start Ladd McConkey over Christian Watson.
• Start Dalton Kincaid over Ladd McConkey.