Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Khalil ShakirWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to Khalil Shakir's 8.1 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. Khalil Shakir at 8.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jaylen Waddle higher, but do not fade Khalil Shakir 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

WRBuffalo Bills#48

Khalil Shakir

PPG

8.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

719

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Waddle

Khalil Shakir

Head to Head

10.1 PPG8.1 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Khalil Shakir: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #48 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jaylen Waddle is producing at 46% of elite pace and Khalil Shakir at 37%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Waddle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Waddle vs Khalil Shakir: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jaylen Waddle and Khalil Shakir for your lineup, you are not alone. Jaylen Waddle finished the 2025 season at 10.1 PPG for the Miami Dolphins (16 games), and Khalil Shakir averaged 8.1 for the Buffalo Bills (16 games).

That 2.0-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 Khalil Shakir converted 95 looks into 719 yards and 4 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Jaylen Waddle is off Week 6 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: Jaylen Waddle (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Khalil Shakir (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Waddle outscored Khalil Shakir by a projected 34 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 Khalil Shakir: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Waddle	Khalil Shakir
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	8.1
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	130
Receptions	64	72
Rec/Game	4.0	4.5
Receiving Yards	910	719
Rec Yds/Game	56.9	44.9
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	100	95
Target Share/Game	6.3	5.9
Age	27	26
Experience	4 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jaylen Waddle at 10.1 PPG, 2.0 points per game above Khalil Shakir's 8.1. 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 Khalil Shakir in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Khalil Shakir's 8.1 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 Khalil Shakir average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Khalil Shakir averaged 8.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 2.0 points per game.

When are Jaylen Waddle and Khalil Shakir's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Khalil Shakir (BUF) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaylen Waddle or Khalil Shakir a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle outscored Khalil Shakir by 2.0 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.