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Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Calvin Ridley or Jaylen WaddleWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Jaylen Waddle over Calvin Ridley in 2026.

Jaylen Waddle (10.1 PPG) and Calvin Ridley (10.0) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Both play wide receivers, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

This one is genuinely close. Jaylen Waddle edges Calvin Ridley by 0.1 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Jaylen Waddle goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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WRTennessee Titans

Calvin Ridley

PPG

10.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

785

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

WRMiami Dolphins#29PPG LEADER

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Calvin Ridley

Jaylen Waddle

Head to Head

10.0 PPG10.1 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Calvin Ridley: Unranked WR. Jaylen Waddle: Tier 3 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Calvin Ridley is producing at 45% of elite pace and Jaylen Waddle at 46%. Their per-game production is close enough that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Calvin Ridley vs Jaylen Waddle: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Calvin Ridley finished the 2025 season at 10.0 PPG over 16 games with the Tennessee Titans, while Jaylen Waddle clocked in at 10.1 across 16 appearances for the Miami Dolphins. A 0.1-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. Calvin Ridley turned 95 targets into 785 yards and 4 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: Calvin Ridley is off Week 5 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: Calvin Ridley (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?

•Jaylen Waddle outscored Calvin Ridley by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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

Calvin Ridley vs Jaylen Waddle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Calvin Ridley	Jaylen Waddle
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.0	10.1
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	160	162
Receptions	58	64
Rec/Game	3.6	4.0
Receiving Yards	785	910
Rec Yds/Game	49.1	56.9
Receiving TDs	4	6
Targets	95	100
Target Share/Game	5.9	6.3
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jaylen Waddle holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.1 points per game. Calvin Ridley averaged 10.0 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Calvin Ridley or Jaylen Waddle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Calvin Ridley's 10.0 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 Calvin Ridley or Jaylen Waddle in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Jaylen Waddle and Calvin Ridley come off the board in the same range, so take whichever fits your roster build. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Calvin Ridley's 10.0, a gap of under a point. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Calvin Ridley and Jaylen Waddle average in 2025?▾

Calvin Ridley averaged 10.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Calvin Ridley and Jaylen Waddle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Calvin Ridley (TEN) has a bye in Week 5, and Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Calvin Ridley or Jaylen Waddle a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle outscored Calvin Ridley by 0.1 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.