Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Amari Cooper vs Jaylen WaddleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.2 PPG to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Amari Cooper edges Jaylen Waddle by 1.1 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Amari Cooper goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRBuffalo Bills#99PPG LEADER

Amari Cooper

PPG

11.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

782

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

WRMiami Dolphins#29

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Amari Cooper

Jaylen Waddle

Head to Head

11.2 PPG10.1 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Amari Cooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Amari Cooper is producing at 51% of elite pace and Jaylen Waddle at 46%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Waddle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Amari Cooper vs Jaylen Waddle: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Amari Cooper finished the 2025 season at 11.2 PPG over 16 games with the Buffalo Bills, while Jaylen Waddle clocked in at 10.1 across 16 appearances for the Miami Dolphins. A 1.1-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Amari Cooper turned 95 targets into 782 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Jaylen Waddle converted 100 looks into 910 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Amari Cooper is off Week 12 and Jaylen Waddle Week 6. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Amari Cooper (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Jaylen Waddle (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Amari Cooper outscored Jaylen Waddle by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Waddle scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Jaylen Waddle saw 100 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Amari Cooper vs Jaylen Waddle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Amari Cooper	Jaylen Waddle
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.2	10.1
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	179	162
Receptions	65	64
Rec/Game	4.1	4.0
Receiving Yards	782	910
Rec Yds/Game	48.9	56.9
Receiving TDs	4	6
Targets	95	100
Target Share/Game	5.9	6.3
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Amari Cooper holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.2 points per game. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 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 Amari Cooper or Jaylen Waddle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Amari Cooper has the edge at 11.2 PPG compared to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1 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 Amari Cooper and Jaylen Waddle average in 2025?▾

Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Amari Cooper and Jaylen Waddle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper (BUF) has a bye in Week 12, and Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Amari Cooper or Jaylen Waddle a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper outscored Jaylen Waddle by 1.1 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.