Ladd McConkey or Travis Kelce: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 4 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Start Kelce — the consensus rank and game script edges are too wide to ignore.
Travis Kelce is the higher consensus play (TE11 to WR19) and plays in the better game script (24.5 implied team points to 21.3). McConkey's edge is the projection, 11.8 to 11.8. The gap is comfortable.
Ladd McConkey
6.79.311.8 Projected Points
Travis Kelce
7.39.511.8 Projected Points
Ladd McConkey’s market
Travis Kelce’s market
Why Ladd McConkey
StartWR1 and primary target. Elite separator from the slot or outside with precise route running.
Start — every-week WR start at consensus WR19: 17% target share, 11.8 PPR projected vs SEA.
- SEA ranks 8 of 32 against WRs (one of the tougher matchups, 3-game sample).
- Vegas implies 21.3 team points as 3.0-point underdogs.
- Listed WR on the latest depth chart with a 61% snap share.
Latest on McConkey
Ladd McConkey was listed on the injury report with a rib injury and cleared to play Week 3.
Chargers.com · Sep 27, 2026Here is who won't play Sunday for the Chargers against Las Vegas
Take a look at the Chargers Injury Report ahead of Week 2 against the Raiders
McConkey did not practice Wednesday or Thursday for the Chargers
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Why Travis Kelce
Start· mediumTE1 and future Hall of Fame-caliber pass catcher. Elite route craft from the seam and slot, still a volume target.
TE11 with a locked-in 78% snap / 20% target share and a soft LV matchup (24 of 32) in a 24.5-point implied total — clears the TE replacement bar.
- LV ranks 24 of 32 against TEs (one of the softer matchups, 3-game sample).
- Vegas implies 24.5 team points as 5.5-point favorites.
- Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 78% snap share.
The call
- Role is secure: 78% snap share and a 20% target share through 3 games is the kind of volume that's hard to find at tight end, and he carries no injury designation.
- Matchup leans favorable. LV ranks 24 of 32 in the DvP composite against tight ends, though that rests on a 3-game sample at 0.25 confidence, so don't lean on it too hard.
- Game environment supports him: a 24.5 implied team total as 5.5-point favorites points to plenty of scoring chances, even if a lead could trim late passing volume.
- An 11.8-point projection at TE11 is a borderline TE1 in 12-team leagues. That's enough to confirm the start-lean, but the ceiling isn't elite, hence medium confidence. The headlines are unverified and don't change the call.
Latest on Kelce
Why, yes, that was Matthew Stafford. Here's why all signs pointed to the reigning NFL MVP's music video cameo.
Mahomes completed all 14 of his play-action attempts for 201 yards, including a touchdown, according to ESPN Research.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Ladd McConkey | Travis Kelce |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 6.79.311.8 | 7.39.511.8 |
| Consensus rank | WR19 | TE11 |
| Opponent vs position | SEA · 8 of 323-game sample | LV · 24 of 323-game sample |
| Receptions | 9 of 32 | 27 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 1 of 32 | 16 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | 7 of 32 | 30 of 32 |
| Targets | 15 of 32 | 18 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 6 of 32 | 30 of 32 |
| Target share | 17% | 20% |
| Reception share | 23% | 21% |
| Implied total · spread | 21.3+3.0 | 24.5-5.5 |
| Depth chart | WR1 | TE1 |
| Snap share | 61% | 78% |
| Start/Sit record | — | 2–1 |
Recent form
Ladd McConkey — last 3 weeks
| Week 3 | vs BUF | 6.68.610.6 |
| Week 2 | vs LV | 3.55.06.5 |
| Week 1 | vs ARI | 14.216.719.2 |
Travis Kelce — last 3 weeks
| Week 3 | vs MIA | 11.912.913.9 |
| Week 2 | vs IND | 16.120.625.1 |
| Week 1 | vs DEN | 7.18.610.1 |
Signal breakdown
- 11.8 vs 11.8 projected PPR pointsLadd McConkey +
- Rank 19 vs 11Travis Kelce +
- Opponent DvP rank 8 vs 24 (32 = softest)Travis Kelce +
- Implied 21.3 vs 24.5 team pointsTravis Kelce +
- No injury designationseven
- 61% vs 78% snap shareTravis Kelce +
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