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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

A.J. Brown vs Darren WallerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start A.J. Brown over Darren Waller in 2026.

A.J. Brown averaged 12.1 PPG in 2025 to Darren Waller's 9.6, a 2.5 point per game edge. Brown also stayed healthier, playing 15 games to 8, which steadies his weekly floor. A.J. Brown is Tier 3 among wide receivers, Darren Waller is Tier 2 among tight ends.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, A.J. Brown (12.1 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Darren Waller (9.6 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRPhiladelphia Eagles#12PPG LEADER

A.J. Brown

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,003

Rec TDs

Targets

121

Bye

Week 10

TEMiami Dolphins#8

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

A.J. Brown

Darren Waller

Head to Head

12.1 PPG9.6 PPG

15 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

A.J. Brown: Tier 3 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #12 at the position). Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 3 (Strong Starter) WR is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE in most league formats.

A.J. Brown vs Darren Waller: The Full Breakdown

Comparing A.J. Brown (WR, Philadelphia Eagles) against Darren Waller (TE, Miami Dolphins) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. A.J. Brown averaged 12.1 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Darren Waller posted 9.6 PPG across 8 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

A.J. Brown has his bye in Week 10, Darren Waller in Week 6. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

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: A.J. Brown (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•A.J. Brown outscored Darren Waller by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•A.J. Brown played 15 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means A.J. Brown contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•A.J. Brown scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•A.J. Brown saw 121 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•A.J. Brown is 4 years younger than Darren Waller (29 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

A.J. Brown vs Darren Waller: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	A.J. Brown	Darren Waller
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	9.6
Games Played	15	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	182	77
Receptions	78	24
Rec/Game	5.2	3.0
Receiving Yards	1,003	283
Rec Yds/Game	66.9	35.4
Receiving TDs	7	6
Targets	121	34
Target Share/Game	8.1	4.3
Age	29	33
Experience	6 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, A.J. Brown holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.1 points per game. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start A.J. Brown or Darren Waller in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, A.J. Brown has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Darren Waller's 9.6 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 A.J. Brown and Darren Waller average in 2025?▾

A.J. Brown averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are A.J. Brown and Darren Waller's bye weeks in 2026?▾

A.J. Brown (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.