Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Darren Waller vs Evan EngramWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darren Waller is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Evan Engram's 4.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darren Waller is the better fantasy play this season.

Darren Waller is the better play on a neutral week. 9.6 PPG with 287 yards gives a reliable baseline. Evan Engram at 4.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Darren Waller higher, but do not fade Evan Engram entirely.

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

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TEMiami Dolphins#8PPG LEADER

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TEDenver Broncos#35

Evan Engram

PPG

4.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

461

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Darren Waller

Evan Engram

Head to Head

9.6 PPG4.9 PPG

8 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Evan Engram: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darren Waller is producing at 44% of elite pace and Evan Engram at 22%. That ranking gap means Darren Waller carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darren Waller vs Evan Engram: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Darren Waller and Evan Engram is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Miami Dolphins tight end put up 9.6 PPG in 2025 over 8 games; Evan Engram of the Denver Broncos averaged 4.9 in 16. A 4.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.7 points favors Darren Waller, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Evan Engram is the volume tight end in this matchup with 50 receptions for 461 yards, while Darren Waller profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (6 scores on 24 catches). In weeks where Darren Waller finds the end zone he out-scores Evan Engram, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Darren Waller sits Week 6 while Evan Engram is off Week 10. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Darren Waller is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Evan Engram is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Evan Engram (age 31) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Darren Waller outscored Evan Engram by a projected 80 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Evan Engram played 16 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Evan Engram 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.
•Evan Engram saw 76 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darren Waller vs Evan Engram: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darren Waller	Evan Engram
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	4.9
Games Played	8	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	78
Receptions	24	50
Rec/Game	3.0	3.1
Receiving Yards	283	461
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	28.8
Receiving TDs	6	1
Targets	34	76
Target Share/Game	4.3	4.8
Age	33	31
Experience	10 yrs	8 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 10

Summary

9.6 PPG for Darren Waller versus 4.9 for Evan Engram in 2025. The baseline favors Darren Waller, 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 Darren Waller or Evan Engram in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Darren Waller has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Evan Engram's 4.9 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 Darren Waller and Evan Engram average in 2025?▾

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Evan Engram averaged 4.9 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.7 points per game.

When are Darren Waller and Evan Engram's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Evan Engram (DEN) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darren Waller or Evan Engram a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Darren Waller outscored Evan Engram by 4.7 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.