Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Josh DownsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to Josh Downs's 6.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy play this season.

Jaylen Waddle is the better play on a neutral week. 10.1 PPG with 946 yards gives a reliable baseline. Josh Downs at 6.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jaylen Waddle higher, but do not fade Josh Downs entirely.

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

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WRMiami Dolphins#29PPG LEADER

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

WRIndianapolis Colts#99

Josh Downs

PPG

6.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

566

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Waddle

Josh Downs

Head to Head

10.1 PPG6.7 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Josh Downs: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jaylen Waddle is producing at 46% of elite pace and Josh Downs at 30%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Waddle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Waddle vs Josh Downs: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jaylen Waddle and Josh Downs for your lineup, you are not alone. Jaylen Waddle finished the 2025 season at 10.1 PPG for the Miami Dolphins (16 games), and Josh Downs averaged 6.7 for the Indianapolis Colts (16 games).

That 3.4-point weekly advantage for Jaylen Waddle 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.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Jaylen Waddle turned 100 targets into 910 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Josh Downs converted 88 looks into 566 yards and 4 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Jaylen Waddle has his bye in Week 6, and Josh Downs rests in Week 14. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver 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

Jaylen Waddle is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Josh Downs is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jaylen Waddle (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Josh Downs (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Waddle outscored Josh Downs by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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

Jaylen Waddle vs Josh Downs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Waddle	Josh Downs
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	6.7
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	107
Receptions	64	58
Rec/Game	4.0	3.6
Receiving Yards	910	566
Rec Yds/Game	56.9	35.4
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	100	88
Target Share/Game	6.3	5.5
Age	27	24
Experience	4 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jaylen Waddle at 10.1 PPG, 3.4 points per game above Josh Downs's 6.7. 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 Jaylen Waddle or Josh Downs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Josh Downs's 6.7 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 Jaylen Waddle and Josh Downs average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Josh Downs averaged 6.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 3.4 points per game.

When are Jaylen Waddle and Josh Downs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Jaylen Waddle or Josh Downs a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle outscored Josh Downs by 3.4 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.