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Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Jaylen WaddleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Jaylen Waddle and Deebo Samuel Sr. are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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WRWashington Commanders#36
Deebo Samuel Sr.
PPG
9.5
Games
16
Rec
72
Rec Yds
727
Rec TDs
5
Targets
99
Bye
Week 7
WRMiami Dolphins#29PPG LEADER
Jaylen Waddle
PPG
10.1
Games
16
Rec
64
Rec Yds
910
Rec TDs
6
Targets
100
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Deebo Samuel Sr.
Jaylen Waddle

Head to Head

9.5 PPG10.1 PPG
16 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Deebo Samuel Sr. is producing at 43% 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.

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Jaylen Waddle: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jaylen Waddle is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.6 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 PPG with the Washington Commanders across 16 games, and Jaylen Waddle posted 10.1 with the Miami Dolphins in 16.

When two wide receivers are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Deebo Samuel Sr. turned 99 targets into 727 yards and 5 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.

Deebo Samuel Sr. has his bye in Week 7, and Jaylen Waddle rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling 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: Deebo Samuel Sr. (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Jaylen Waddle (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Jaylen Waddle outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Deebo Samuel Sr. 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

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Jaylen Waddle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDeebo Samuel Sr.Jaylen Waddle
PPG (Half-PPR)9.510.1
Games Played1616
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)152162
Receptions7264
Rec/Game4.54.0
Receiving Yards727910
Rec Yds/Game45.456.9
Receiving TDs56
Targets99100
Target Share/Game6.26.3
Age3027
Experience6 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jaylen Waddle at 10.1 PPG, 0.6 points per game above Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Deebo Samuel Sr. or Jaylen Waddle in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5 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 Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jaylen Waddle average in 2025?

Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 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 0.6 points per game.

When are Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jaylen Waddle's bye weeks in 2026?

Deebo Samuel Sr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deebo Samuel Sr. or Jaylen Waddle a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Jaylen Waddle outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by 0.6 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.