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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Christian McCaffrey vs Darren WallerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Christian McCaffrey over Darren Waller in 2026.

Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 PPG in 2025 to Darren Waller's 9.6, a 11.9 point per game edge. McCaffrey's 102-catch receiving role gives him a higher weekly floor in PPR and half-PPR. Christian McCaffrey is Tier 1 among running backs, Darren Waller is Tier 2 among tight ends.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Christian McCaffrey (21.5 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.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBSan Francisco 49ers#1PPG LEADER

Christian McCaffrey

PPG

21.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,202

Rush TDs

Rec

102

Rec Yds

924

Bye

Week 8

TEMiami Dolphins#8

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Christian McCaffrey

Darren Waller

Head to Head

21.5 PPG9.6 PPG

17 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 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 1 (Elite) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE in most league formats.

Christian McCaffrey vs Darren Waller: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Christian McCaffrey (RB, San Francisco 49ers) against Darren Waller (TE, Miami Dolphins) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 PPG in 2025 over 17 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.

Christian McCaffrey has his bye in Week 8, Darren Waller in Week 6. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Christian McCaffrey at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Darren Waller is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Christian McCaffrey (age 30, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds 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?

•Christian McCaffrey outscored Darren Waller by a projected 202 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Christian McCaffrey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Christian McCaffrey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Christian McCaffrey scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Christian McCaffrey caught 102 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Christian McCaffrey vs Darren Waller: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Christian McCaffrey	Darren Waller
PPG (Half-PPR)	21.5	9.6
Games Played	17	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	366	77
Rushing Yards	1,202	4
Rush Yds/Game	70.7	0.5
Rushing TDs	10	0
Receptions	102	24
Receiving Yards	924	283
Targets	129	34
Total TDs	17	6
Age	30	33
Experience	8 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Christian McCaffrey holds the PPG edge with strong output at 21.5 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 Christian McCaffrey or Darren Waller in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 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 Christian McCaffrey and Darren Waller average in 2025?▾

Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 11.9 points per game.

When are Christian McCaffrey and Darren Waller's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.