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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Brandon Aiyuk or Jaylen WaddleWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Brandon Aiyuk over Jaylen Waddle in 2026.

Brandon Aiyuk averaged 11.8 PPG in 2025 to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1, a 1.7 point per game edge. Aiyuk posted that edge in only 13 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability.

The Bottom Line

Brandon Aiyuk is the better play on a neutral week. 11.8 PPG with 762 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 Brandon Aiyuk higher, but do not fade Jaylen Waddle entirely.

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

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WRSan Francisco 49ersPPG LEADER

Brandon Aiyuk

PPG

11.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

762

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

WRMiami Dolphins#29

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Brandon Aiyuk

Jaylen Waddle

Head to Head

11.8 PPG10.1 PPG

13 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Brandon Aiyuk: Unranked WR. Jaylen Waddle: Tier 3 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brandon Aiyuk is producing at 54% of elite pace and Jaylen Waddle at 46%. That per-game gap means Brandon Aiyuk carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brandon Aiyuk vs Jaylen Waddle: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Brandon Aiyuk and Jaylen Waddle is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver put up 11.8 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins averaged 10.1 in 16. A 1.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.7 points favors Brandon Aiyuk, 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. Brandon Aiyuk turned 82 targets into 762 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Brandon Aiyuk sits Week 9 while Jaylen Waddle is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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: Brandon Aiyuk (age 27) 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?

•Brandon Aiyuk outscored Jaylen Waddle by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Brandon Aiyuk's 13. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brandon Aiyuk vs Jaylen Waddle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brandon Aiyuk	Jaylen Waddle
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.8	10.1
Games Played	13	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	153	162
Receptions	58	64
Rec/Game	4.5	4.0
Receiving Yards	762	910
Rec Yds/Game	58.6	56.9
Receiving TDs	5	6
Targets	82	100
Target Share/Game	6.3	6.3
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 6

Summary

11.8 PPG for Brandon Aiyuk versus 10.1 for Jaylen Waddle in 2025. The baseline favors Brandon Aiyuk, 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 Brandon Aiyuk or Jaylen Waddle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Brandon Aiyuk has the edge at 11.8 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.

Should I draft Brandon Aiyuk or Jaylen Waddle in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Brandon Aiyuk is the earlier pick. He averaged 11.8 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1, a 1.7 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Brandon Aiyuk and Jaylen Waddle average in 2025?▾

Brandon Aiyuk averaged 11.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

When are Brandon Aiyuk and Jaylen Waddle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brandon Aiyuk (SF) has a bye in Week 9, and Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brandon Aiyuk or Jaylen Waddle a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Brandon Aiyuk outscored Jaylen Waddle by 1.7 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.