Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

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

Darren Waller is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 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 Higbee at 6.5 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 Higbee 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

TELos Angeles Rams#25

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Darren Waller

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

9.6 PPG6.5 PPG

8 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darren Waller is producing at 44% of elite pace and Tyler Higbee at 30%. That ranking gap means Darren Waller carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darren Waller vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Darren Waller and Tyler Higbee is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Miami Dolphins tight end put up 9.6 PPG in 2025 over 8 games; Tyler Higbee of the Los Angeles Rams averaged 6.5 in 9. A 3.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.1 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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Darren Waller had 24 catches for 283 yards; Tyler Higbee posted 25 for 281. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Darren Waller has his bye in Week 6, and Tyler Higbee rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Darren Waller is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Tyler Higbee is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Tyler Higbee (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Darren Waller outscored Tyler Higbee by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tyler Higbee played 9 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Tyler Higbee 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 Higbee saw 36 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 Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darren Waller	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	6.5
Games Played	8	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	59
Receptions	24	25
Rec/Game	3.0	2.8
Receiving Yards	283	281
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	31.2
Receiving TDs	6	3
Targets	34	36
Target Share/Game	4.3	4.0
Age	33	33
Experience	10 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

9.6 PPG for Darren Waller versus 6.5 for Tyler Higbee 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 Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Darren Waller has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 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 Higbee average in 2025?▾

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

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

Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Tyler Higbee (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

Darren Waller outscored Tyler Higbee by 3.1 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.