Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Diontae Johnson vs Jaylen WaddleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to Diontae Johnson's 9.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Jaylen Waddle and Diontae Johnson are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.8-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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WRBaltimore Ravens#99

Diontae Johnson

PPG

9.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

712

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

WRMiami Dolphins#29PPG LEADER

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Diontae Johnson

Jaylen Waddle

Head to Head

9.3 PPG10.1 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Diontae Johnson: 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, Diontae Johnson is producing at 42% 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.

Diontae Johnson vs Jaylen Waddle: The Full Breakdown

Diontae Johnson (9.3 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. Diontae Johnson played 15 games for the Baltimore Ravens; Jaylen Waddle suited up 16 times for the Miami Dolphins.

A 0.8-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. Diontae Johnson turned 95 targets into 712 yards and 3 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Diontae Johnson sits Week 14 while Jaylen Waddle is off Week 6. 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: Diontae Johnson (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 Diontae Johnson by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Diontae Johnson's 15. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Diontae Johnson vs Jaylen Waddle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Diontae Johnson	Jaylen Waddle
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.3	10.1
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	140	162
Receptions	60	64
Rec/Game	4.0	4.0
Receiving Yards	712	910
Rec Yds/Game	47.5	56.9
Receiving TDs	3	6
Targets	95	100
Target Share/Game	6.3	6.3
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jaylen Waddle at 10.1 PPG, 0.8 points per game above Diontae Johnson's 9.3. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Diontae Johnson or Jaylen Waddle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Diontae Johnson's 9.3 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 Diontae Johnson and Jaylen Waddle average in 2025?▾

Diontae Johnson averaged 9.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Diontae Johnson and Jaylen Waddle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Diontae Johnson (BAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Diontae Johnson or Jaylen Waddle a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle outscored Diontae Johnson by 0.8 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.