Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darren Waller vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darren Waller is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darren Waller is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Darren Waller edges Jonnu Smith by 1.4 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, Darren Waller 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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TEMiami Dolphins#8PPG LEADER

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TEMiami Dolphins#99

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Darren Waller

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

9.6 PPG8.2 PPG

8 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darren Waller is producing at 44% of elite pace and Jonnu Smith at 37%. That ranking gap means Darren Waller carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darren Waller vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Darren Waller finished the 2025 season at 9.6 PPG over 8 games with the Miami Dolphins, while Jonnu Smith clocked in at 8.2 across 15 appearances for the Miami Dolphins. A 1.4-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.

Jonnu Smith is the volume tight end in this matchup with 52 receptions for 562 yards, while Darren Waller profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (6 scores on 24 catches). In weeks where Darren Waller finds the end zone he out-scores Jonnu Smith, but the floor gap is real.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 6 bye. That means you need a backup plan at tight end 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: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Darren Waller outscored Jonnu Smith by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonnu Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Jonnu Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Darren Waller scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jonnu Smith saw 68 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end 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

Darren Waller vs Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darren Waller	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	8.2
Games Played	8	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	123
Receptions	24	52
Rec/Game	3.0	3.5
Receiving Yards	283	562
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	37.5
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	34	68
Target Share/Game	4.3	4.5
Age	33	-
Experience	10 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Darren Waller holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.6 points per game. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 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 Darren Waller or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Darren Waller has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Jonnu Smith'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 Darren Waller and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

Do Darren Waller and Jonnu Smith share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Darren Waller and Jonnu Smith share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Darren Waller or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Darren Waller outscored Jonnu Smith by 1.4 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.