Head to Head

Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Sam LaPortaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Jaylen Waddle over Sam LaPorta in 2026.

Jaylen Waddle (10.1 PPG) and Sam LaPorta (9.7) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Waddle also stayed healthier, playing 16 games to 9, which steadies his weekly floor. Jaylen Waddle is Tier 3 among wide receivers, Sam LaPorta is Tier 2 among tight ends.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Jaylen Waddle (10.1 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Sam LaPorta (9.7 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.

In the app

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WRMiami Dolphins#29PPG LEADER

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

TEDetroit Lions#7

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Waddle

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

10.1 PPG9.7 PPG

16 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 3 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 3 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE in most league formats.

Jaylen Waddle vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Jaylen Waddle (WR, Miami Dolphins) against Sam LaPorta (TE, Detroit Lions) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 PPG in 2025 over 16 games, while Sam LaPorta posted 9.7 PPG across 9 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: Jaylen Waddle (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Waddle outscored Sam LaPorta by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. That durability gap means Jaylen Waddle contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaylen Waddle 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.
•Both players share a Week 6 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaylen Waddle vs Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Waddle	Sam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	9.7
Games Played	16	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	87
Receptions	64	40
Rec/Game	4.0	4.4
Receiving Yards	910	489
Rec Yds/Game	56.9	54.3
Receiving TDs	6	3
Targets	100	49
Target Share/Game	6.3	5.4
Age	27	25
Experience	4 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jaylen Waddle holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.1 points per game. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 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 Jaylen Waddle or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Sam LaPorta's 9.7 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 Jaylen Waddle and Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

Do Jaylen Waddle and Sam LaPorta share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Jaylen Waddle and Sam LaPorta share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.