Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Ladd McConkeyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jaylen Waddle edges Ladd McConkey by 0.9 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Jaylen Waddle goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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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

WRLos Angeles Chargers#38

Ladd McConkey

PPG

9.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

789

Rec TDs

Targets

106

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Waddle

Ladd McConkey

Head to Head

10.1 PPG9.2 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jaylen Waddle is producing at 46% of elite pace and Ladd McConkey at 42%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Waddle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Waddle vs Ladd McConkey: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Jaylen Waddle finished the 2025 season at 10.1 PPG over 16 games with the Miami Dolphins, while Ladd McConkey clocked in at 9.2 across 16 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers. A 0.9-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Jaylen Waddle turned 100 targets into 910 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Ladd McConkey converted 106 looks into 789 yards and 6 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 Ladd McConkey 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. Ladd McConkey (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Waddle outscored Ladd McConkey by a projected 15 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.
•Ladd McConkey saw 106 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 Ladd McConkey: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Waddle	Ladd McConkey
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	9.2
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	147
Receptions	64	66
Rec/Game	4.0	4.1
Receiving Yards	910	789
Rec Yds/Game	56.9	49.3
Receiving TDs	6	6
Targets	100	106
Target Share/Game	6.3	6.6
Age	27	24
Experience	4 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jaylen Waddle holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.1 points per game. Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jaylen Waddle or Ladd McConkey in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 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 Ladd McConkey average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are Jaylen Waddle and Ladd McConkey's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Jaylen Waddle or Ladd McConkey a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle outscored Ladd McConkey by 0.9 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.