Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Luther Burden IIIWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to Luther Burden III's 7.0 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. Luther Burden III at 7.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jaylen Waddle higher, but do not fade Luther Burden III 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

WRChicago Bears#60

Luther Burden III

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

652

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Waddle

Luther Burden III

Head to Head

10.1 PPG7.0 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Luther Burden III: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #60 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jaylen Waddle is producing at 46% of elite pace and Luther Burden III at 32%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Waddle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Waddle vs Luther Burden III: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jaylen Waddle and Luther Burden III for your lineup, you are not alone. Jaylen Waddle finished the 2025 season at 10.1 PPG for the Miami Dolphins (16 games), and Luther Burden III averaged 7.0 for the Chicago Bears (15 games).

That 3.1-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.

Target volume is the story here. Jaylen Waddle saw 100 targets in 2025, while Luther Burden III drew 60. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Jaylen Waddle, even in weeks where Luther Burden III posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Jaylen Waddle is off Week 6 and Luther Burden III Week 10. 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

Jaylen Waddle is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Luther Burden III 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. Luther Burden III (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Waddle outscored Luther Burden III by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Luther Burden III's 15. That durability gap means Jaylen Waddle contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•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.
•Luther Burden III is 5 years younger than Jaylen Waddle (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaylen Waddle vs Luther Burden III: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Waddle	Luther Burden III
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	7.0
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	105
Receptions	64	47
Rec/Game	4.0	3.1
Receiving Yards	910	652
Rec Yds/Game	56.9	43.5
Receiving TDs	6	2
Targets	100	60
Target Share/Game	6.3	4.0
Age	27	22
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jaylen Waddle at 10.1 PPG, 3.1 points per game above Luther Burden III's 7.0. 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 Luther Burden III in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Luther Burden III's 7.0 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 Jaylen Waddle and Luther Burden III average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Luther Burden III averaged 7.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

When are Jaylen Waddle and Luther Burden III's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Luther Burden III (CHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaylen Waddle or Luther Burden III a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle outscored Luther Burden III by 3.1 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.