Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

A.J. Brown vs Jaylen WaddleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

A.J. Brown is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

A.J. Brown is the better fantasy play this season.

A.J. Brown is the better play on a neutral week. 12.1 PPG with 1,003 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 A.J. Brown 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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WRPhiladelphia Eagles#12PPG LEADER

A.J. Brown

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,003

Rec TDs

Targets

121

Bye

Week 10

WRMiami Dolphins#29

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

A.J. Brown

Jaylen Waddle

Head to Head

12.1 PPG10.1 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

A.J. Brown: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #12 at the position). Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, A.J. Brown is producing at 55% of elite pace and Jaylen Waddle at 46%. That ranking gap means A.J. Brown carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

A.J. Brown vs Jaylen Waddle: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between A.J. Brown and Jaylen Waddle for your lineup, you are not alone. A.J. Brown finished the 2025 season at 12.1 PPG for the Philadelphia Eagles (15 games), and Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 for the Miami Dolphins (16 games).

That 2.0-point weekly advantage for A.J. Brown is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. A.J. Brown turned 121 targets into 1003 yards and 7 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.

A.J. Brown has his bye in Week 10, 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: A.J. Brown (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Jaylen Waddle (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•A.J. Brown 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 A.J. Brown's 15. That durability gap means Jaylen Waddle contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•A.J. Brown scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•A.J. Brown saw 121 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

A.J. Brown vs Jaylen Waddle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	A.J. Brown	Jaylen Waddle
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	10.1
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	182	162
Receptions	78	64
Rec/Game	5.2	4.0
Receiving Yards	1,003	910
Rec Yds/Game	66.9	56.9
Receiving TDs	7	6
Targets	121	100
Target Share/Game	8.1	6.3
Age	28	27
Experience	6 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor A.J. Brown at 12.1 PPG, 2.0 points per game above Jaylen Waddle's 10.1. 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 A.J. Brown or Jaylen Waddle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, A.J. Brown 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 A.J. Brown and Jaylen Waddle average in 2025?▾

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

When are A.J. Brown and Jaylen Waddle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

A.J. Brown (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is A.J. Brown or Jaylen Waddle a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

A.J. Brown 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.