Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cooper Kupp vs Jaylen WaddleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Cooper Kupp is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.8 PPG to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Cooper Kupp is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Cooper Kupp edges Jaylen Waddle by 0.7 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, Cooper Kupp 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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WRLos Angeles Rams#99PPG LEADER

Cooper Kupp

PPG

10.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

748

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

WRMiami Dolphins#29

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Cooper Kupp

Jaylen Waddle

Head to Head

10.8 PPG10.1 PPG

12 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Kupp: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Cooper Kupp is producing at 49% 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.

Cooper Kupp vs Jaylen Waddle: The Full Breakdown

Cooper Kupp (10.8 PPG) and Jaylen Waddle (10.1 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Cooper Kupp played 12 games for the Los Angeles Rams; Jaylen Waddle suited up 16 times for the Miami Dolphins.

A 0.7-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Cooper Kupp turned 92 targets into 748 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.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 6 bye. That means you need a backup plan at wide receiver for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Cooper Kupp (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?

•Cooper Kupp outscored Jaylen Waddle by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Cooper Kupp's 12. 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.
•Both players share a Week 6 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Kupp vs Jaylen Waddle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Kupp	Jaylen Waddle
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.8	10.1
Games Played	12	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	130	162
Receptions	62	64
Rec/Game	5.2	4.0
Receiving Yards	748	910
Rec Yds/Game	62.3	56.9
Receiving TDs	5	6
Targets	92	100
Target Share/Game	7.7	6.3
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

Cooper Kupp outscored Jaylen Waddle by 0.7 PPG in 2025 (10.8 to 10.1). 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 Cooper Kupp or Jaylen Waddle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Cooper Kupp has the edge at 10.8 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.

How many fantasy points did Cooper Kupp and Jaylen Waddle average in 2025?▾

Cooper Kupp averaged 10.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

Do Cooper Kupp and Jaylen Waddle share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Cooper Kupp and Jaylen Waddle share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.

Is Cooper Kupp or Jaylen Waddle a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Cooper Kupp outscored Jaylen Waddle by 0.7 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.