Head to Head

Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Tee HigginsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Tee Higgins over Jaylen Waddle in 2026.

Tee Higgins averaged 12.1 PPG in 2025 to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1, a 2.0 point per game edge. Both play wide receivers, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit. Both land in Tier 3 at the position, so this is closer than the raw gap suggests.

The Bottom Line

Tee Higgins is the better play on a neutral week. 12.1 PPG with 846 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jaylen Waddle at 10.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Tee Higgins higher, but do not fade Jaylen Waddle entirely.

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

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WRMiami Dolphins#29

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

WRCincinnati Bengals#13PPG LEADER

Tee Higgins

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

846

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Waddle

Tee Higgins

Head to Head

10.1 PPG12.1 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 3 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Tee Higgins: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #13 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jaylen Waddle is producing at 46% of elite pace and Tee Higgins at 55%. That ranking gap means Tee Higgins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Waddle vs Tee Higgins: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Jaylen Waddle and Tee Higgins is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Miami Dolphins wide receiver put up 10.1 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals averaged 12.1 in 15. A 2.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.0 points favors Tee Higgins, 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 wide receiver to the other.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Jaylen Waddle turned 100 targets into 910 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Tee Higgins converted 98 looks into 846 yards and 11 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Both share a Week 6 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking wide receivers this deep on your bench, plan your replacement wide receiver early.

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. Tee Higgins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Tee Higgins outscored Jaylen Waddle by a projected 34 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Tee Higgins's 15. That durability gap means Jaylen Waddle contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tee Higgins scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.7 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 Tee Higgins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Waddle	Tee Higgins
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	12.1
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	182
Receptions	64	59
Rec/Game	4.0	3.9
Receiving Yards	910	846
Rec Yds/Game	56.9	56.4
Receiving TDs	6	11
Targets	100	98
Target Share/Game	6.3	6.5
Age	27	27
Experience	4 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

12.1 PPG for Tee Higgins versus 10.1 for Jaylen Waddle in 2025. The baseline favors Tee Higgins, 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 Jaylen Waddle or Tee Higgins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tee Higgins has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1 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 Tee Higgins average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tee Higgins averaged 12.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.0 points per game.

Do Jaylen Waddle and Tee Higgins share a bye week?▾

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

Is Jaylen Waddle or Tee Higgins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Tee Higgins outscored Jaylen Waddle by 2.0 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.