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Jalen McMillan vs Tee HigginsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tee Higgins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Jalen McMillan's 6.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tee Higgins is the better fantasy play this season.

Tee Higgins is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 12.1 PPG and 846 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Jalen McMillan (6.0 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Tee Higgins as the starter and Jalen McMillan as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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WRTampa Bay Buccaneers#99
Jalen McMillan
PPG
6.0
Games
4
Rec
12
Rec Yds
178
Targets
15
Bye
Week 11
WRCincinnati Bengals#13PPG LEADER
Tee Higgins
PPG
12.1
Games
15
Rec
59
Rec Yds
846
Rec TDs
11
Targets
98
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jalen McMillan
Tee Higgins

Head to Head

6.0 PPG12.1 PPG
4 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jalen McMillan: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Tee Higgins: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #13 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jalen McMillan is producing at 27% of elite pace and Tee Higgins at 55%. That ranking gap means Tee Higgins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jalen McMillan vs Tee Higgins: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Tee Higgins put up 12.1 fantasy points per game for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025, while Jalen McMillan managed 6.0 across 4 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A 6.1-point weekly edge is substantial at the wide receiver position.

A 6.1-PPG gap gives Tee Higgins the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Target volume is the story here. Tee Higgins saw 98 targets in 2025, while Jalen McMillan drew 15. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Tee Higgins, even in weeks where Jalen McMillan posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jalen McMillan sits Week 11 while Tee Higgins 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

If you can acquire Tee Higgins at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. Jalen McMillan is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jalen McMillan (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Tee Higgins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Tee Higgins outscored Jalen McMillan by a projected 104 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Tee Higgins played 15 games in 2025 compared to Jalen McMillan's 4. That durability gap means Tee Higgins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Tee Higgins saw 98 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jalen McMillan vs Tee Higgins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJalen McMillanTee Higgins
PPG (Half-PPR)6.012.1
Games Played415
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)24182
Receptions1259
Rec/Game3.03.9
Receiving Yards178846
Rec Yds/Game44.556.4
Receiving TDs011
Targets1598
Target Share/Game3.86.5
Age2427
Experience2 yrs5 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 6

Summary

Tee Higgins outscored Jalen McMillan by 6.1 PPG in 2025 (12.1 to 6.0). 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 Jalen McMillan or Tee Higgins in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Tee Higgins has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Jalen McMillan's 6.0 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 Jalen McMillan and Tee Higgins average in 2025?

Jalen McMillan averaged 6.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 4 games in 2025. Tee Higgins averaged 12.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 6.1 points per game.

When are Jalen McMillan and Tee Higgins's bye weeks in 2026?

Jalen McMillan (TB) has a bye in Week 11, and Tee Higgins (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jalen McMillan or Tee Higgins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Tee Higgins outscored Jalen McMillan by 6.1 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.