Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jayden Higgins vs Khalil ShakirWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Khalil Shakir is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.1 PPG to Jayden Higgins's 6.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Khalil Shakir is the better fantasy play this season.

Khalil Shakir is the better play on a neutral week. 8.1 PPG with 724 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jayden Higgins at 6.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Khalil Shakir higher, but do not fade Jayden Higgins entirely.

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

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WRHouston Texans#99

Jayden Higgins

PPG

6.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

525

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

WRBuffalo Bills#48PPG LEADER

Khalil Shakir

PPG

8.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

719

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Jayden Higgins

Khalil Shakir

Head to Head

6.4 PPG8.1 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Jayden Higgins: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Khalil Shakir: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #48 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jayden Higgins is producing at 29% of elite pace and Khalil Shakir at 37%. That ranking gap means Khalil Shakir carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jayden Higgins vs Khalil Shakir: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jayden Higgins and Khalil Shakir for your lineup, you are not alone. Jayden Higgins finished the 2025 season at 6.4 PPG for the Houston Texans (17 games), and Khalil Shakir averaged 8.1 for the Buffalo Bills (16 games).

That 1.7-point weekly advantage for Khalil Shakir is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Target volume is the story here. Khalil Shakir saw 95 targets in 2025, while Jayden Higgins drew 68. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Khalil Shakir, even in weeks where Jayden Higgins posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Jayden Higgins is off Week 14 and Khalil Shakir Week 7. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Jayden Higgins (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Khalil Shakir (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Khalil Shakir outscored Jayden Higgins by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jayden Higgins played 17 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Shakir's 16. That durability gap means Jayden Higgins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jayden Higgins scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Khalil Shakir saw 95 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jayden Higgins vs Khalil Shakir: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jayden Higgins	Khalil Shakir
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.4	8.1
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	109	130
Receptions	41	72
Rec/Game	2.4	4.5
Receiving Yards	525	719
Rec Yds/Game	30.9	44.9
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	68	95
Target Share/Game	4.0	5.9
Age	23	26
Experience	1 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Khalil Shakir at 8.1 PPG, 1.7 points per game above Jayden Higgins's 6.4. 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 Jayden Higgins or Khalil Shakir in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Khalil Shakir has the edge at 8.1 PPG compared to Jayden Higgins's 6.4 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 Jayden Higgins and Khalil Shakir average in 2025?▾

Jayden Higgins averaged 6.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Khalil Shakir averaged 8.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

When are Jayden Higgins and Khalil Shakir's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jayden Higgins (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Khalil Shakir (BUF) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jayden Higgins or Khalil Shakir a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Khalil Shakir outscored Jayden Higgins by 1.7 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.