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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Cooper Kupp vs Darren WallerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Cooper Kupp over Darren Waller in 2026.

Cooper Kupp averaged 10.8 PPG in 2025 to Darren Waller's 9.6, a 1.2 point per game edge. Kupp also stayed healthier, playing 12 games to 8, which steadies his weekly floor.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Cooper Kupp (10.8 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.

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

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WRLos Angeles Rams#99PPG LEADER

Cooper Kupp

PPG

10.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

748

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TEMiami Dolphins#8

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Cooper Kupp

Darren Waller

Head to Head

10.8 PPG9.6 PPG

12 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

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

Cooper Kupp vs Darren Waller: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Cooper Kupp (WR, Los Angeles Rams) against Darren Waller (TE, Miami Dolphins) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Cooper Kupp averaged 10.8 PPG in 2025 over 12 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.

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: Cooper Kupp (age 27) 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?

•Cooper Kupp outscored Darren Waller by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cooper Kupp played 12 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Cooper Kupp contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Darren Waller scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Cooper Kupp saw 92 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Both players share a Week 6 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Kupp vs Darren Waller: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Kupp	Darren Waller
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.8	9.6
Games Played	12	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	130	77
Receptions	62	24
Rec/Game	5.2	3.0
Receiving Yards	748	283
Rec Yds/Game	62.3	35.4
Receiving TDs	5	6
Targets	92	34
Target Share/Game	7.7	4.3
Age	-	33
Experience	-	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

10.8 PPG for Cooper Kupp versus 9.6 for Darren Waller in 2025. The baseline favors Cooper Kupp, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cooper Kupp or Darren Waller in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Cooper Kupp has the edge at 10.8 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 Cooper Kupp and Darren Waller average in 2025?▾

Cooper Kupp averaged 10.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

Do Cooper Kupp and Darren Waller share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Cooper Kupp and Darren Waller share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.