Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Jaylen WaddleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy play this season.

Jaylen Waddle has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.9-PPG advantage is real (10.1 to 8.2), and Jaylen Waddle's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Brian Thomas Jr. is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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WRJacksonville Jaguars#47

Brian Thomas Jr.

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

707

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

WRMiami Dolphins#29PPG LEADER

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Brian Thomas Jr.

Jaylen Waddle

Head to Head

8.2 PPG10.1 PPG

14 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Brian Thomas Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #47 at the position). Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Brian Thomas Jr. is producing at 37% of elite pace and Jaylen Waddle at 46%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Waddle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Jaylen Waddle: The Full Breakdown

Brian Thomas Jr. and Jaylen Waddle are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 PPG across 14 games with the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Jaylen Waddle posted 10.1 PPG in 16 appearances for the Miami Dolphins.

A 1.9-PPG gap gives Jaylen Waddle the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Brian Thomas Jr. turned 91 targets into 707 yards and 2 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: Brian Thomas Jr. sits Week 7 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: Brian Thomas Jr. (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Jaylen Waddle (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Waddle outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 14. 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.
•Brian Thomas Jr. is 4 years younger than Jaylen Waddle (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brian Thomas Jr. vs Jaylen Waddle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brian Thomas Jr.	Jaylen Waddle
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	10.1
Games Played	14	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	162
Receptions	48	64
Rec/Game	3.4	4.0
Receiving Yards	707	910
Rec Yds/Game	50.5	56.9
Receiving TDs	2	6
Targets	91	100
Target Share/Game	6.5	6.3
Age	23	27
Experience	1 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

Jaylen Waddle outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 1.9 PPG in 2025 (10.1 to 8.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brian Thomas Jr. or Jaylen Waddle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Brian Thomas Jr.'s 8.2 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 Brian Thomas Jr. and Jaylen Waddle average in 2025?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are Brian Thomas Jr. and Jaylen Waddle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brian Thomas Jr. or Jaylen Waddle a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle outscored Brian Thomas Jr. by 1.9 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.