Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Alec Pierce vs Jaylen WaddleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Alec Pierce is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.7 PPG to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Alec Pierce is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Alec Pierce and Jaylen Waddle 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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WRIndianapolis Colts#22PPG LEADER

Alec Pierce

PPG

10.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,003

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 13

WRMiami Dolphins#29

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Alec Pierce

Jaylen Waddle

Head to Head

10.7 PPG10.1 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Alec Pierce: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #22 at the position). Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Alec Pierce is producing at 49% of elite pace and Jaylen Waddle at 46%. That ranking gap means Alec Pierce carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Alec Pierce vs Jaylen Waddle: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Alec Pierce finished the 2025 season at 10.7 PPG over 15 games with the Indianapolis Colts, while Jaylen Waddle clocked in at 10.1 across 16 appearances for the Miami Dolphins. A 0.6-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Alec Pierce turned 84 targets into 1003 yards and 6 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.

One scheduling note: Alec Pierce is off Week 13 and Jaylen Waddle Week 6. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Alec Pierce (age 26) 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?

•Alec Pierce outscored Jaylen Waddle by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Alec Pierce's 15. That durability gap means Jaylen Waddle contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Alec Pierce 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

Alec Pierce vs Jaylen Waddle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Alec Pierce	Jaylen Waddle
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.7	10.1
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	161	162
Receptions	47	64
Rec/Game	3.1	4.0
Receiving Yards	1,003	910
Rec Yds/Game	66.9	56.9
Receiving TDs	6	6
Targets	84	100
Target Share/Game	5.6	6.3
Age	26	27
Experience	3 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Alec Pierce at 10.7 PPG, 0.6 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 Alec Pierce or Jaylen Waddle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Alec Pierce has the edge at 10.7 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 Alec Pierce and Jaylen Waddle average in 2025?▾

Alec Pierce averaged 10.7 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 0.6 points per game.

When are Alec Pierce and Jaylen Waddle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alec Pierce (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alec Pierce or Jaylen Waddle a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Alec Pierce outscored Jaylen Waddle 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.