Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darren Waller vs Tyler ConklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darren Waller is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Tyler Conklin's 7.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darren Waller is the better fantasy play this season.

Darren Waller is the better play on a neutral week. 9.6 PPG with 287 yards gives a reliable baseline. Tyler Conklin at 7.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Darren Waller higher, but do not fade Tyler Conklin entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TEMiami Dolphins#8PPG LEADER

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TENew York Jets#99

Tyler Conklin

PPG

7.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

525

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Darren Waller

Tyler Conklin

Head to Head

9.6 PPG7.5 PPG

8 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Tyler Conklin: 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 Tyler Conklin at 34%. That ranking gap means Darren Waller carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darren Waller vs Tyler Conklin: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Darren Waller and Tyler Conklin is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Miami Dolphins tight end put up 9.6 PPG in 2025 over 8 games; Tyler Conklin of the New York Jets averaged 7.5 in 17. A 2.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.1 points favors Darren Waller, 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 tight end to the other.

Tyler Conklin is the volume tight end in this matchup with 50 receptions for 525 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 Tyler Conklin, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Darren Waller sits Week 6 while Tyler Conklin is off Week 12. 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: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Tyler Conklin (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Darren Waller outscored Tyler Conklin by a projected 36 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tyler Conklin played 17 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Tyler Conklin 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.
•Tyler Conklin saw 65 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darren Waller vs Tyler Conklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darren Waller	Tyler Conklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	7.5
Games Played	8	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	128
Receptions	24	50
Rec/Game	3.0	2.9
Receiving Yards	283	525
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	30.9
Receiving TDs	6	3
Targets	34	65
Target Share/Game	4.3	3.8
Age	33	-
Experience	10 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 12

Summary

9.6 PPG for Darren Waller versus 7.5 for Tyler Conklin in 2025. The baseline favors Darren Waller, 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 Darren Waller or Tyler Conklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Darren Waller has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Tyler Conklin's 7.5 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 Tyler Conklin average in 2025?▾

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Tyler Conklin averaged 7.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.1 points per game.

When are Darren Waller and Tyler Conklin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Tyler Conklin (NYJ) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darren Waller or Tyler Conklin a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Darren Waller outscored Tyler Conklin by 2.1 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.