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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Darren Waller vs Michael WilsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Michael Wilson over Darren Waller in 2026.

Michael Wilson averaged 10.7 PPG in 2025 to Darren Waller's 9.6, a 1.1 point per game edge. Wilson also stayed healthier, playing 17 games to 8, which steadies his weekly floor. Michael Wilson 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, Michael Wilson (10.7 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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TEMiami Dolphins#8

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

WRArizona Cardinals#24PPG LEADER

Michael Wilson

PPG

10.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,006

Rec TDs

Targets

126

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Darren Waller

Michael Wilson

Head to Head

9.6 PPG10.7 PPG

8 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Michael Wilson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #24 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR in most league formats.

Darren Waller vs Michael Wilson: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Darren Waller (TE, Miami Dolphins) against Michael Wilson (WR, Arizona Cardinals) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 PPG in 2025 over 8 games, while Michael Wilson posted 10.7 PPG across 17 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.

Darren Waller has his bye in Week 6, Michael Wilson in Week 14. 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: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Michael Wilson (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Michael Wilson outscored Darren Waller by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Wilson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Michael Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Michael Wilson scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Michael Wilson saw 126 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Michael Wilson is 7 years younger than Darren Waller (26 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darren Waller vs Michael Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darren Waller	Michael Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	10.7
Games Played	8	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	182
Receptions	24	78
Rec/Game	3.0	4.6
Receiving Yards	283	1,006
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	59.2
Receiving TDs	6	7
Targets	34	126
Target Share/Game	4.3	7.4
Age	33	26
Experience	10 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Michael Wilson holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.7 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 Darren Waller or Michael Wilson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Wilson has the edge at 10.7 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 Darren Waller and Michael Wilson average in 2025?▾

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Michael Wilson averaged 10.7 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Darren Waller and Michael Wilson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Michael Wilson (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.