Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Malik NabersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Malik Nabers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.0 PPG to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Malik Nabers is the better fantasy play this season.

Malik Nabers is the better play on a neutral week. 12.0 PPG with 271 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jaylen Waddle at 10.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Malik Nabers higher, but do not fade Jaylen Waddle entirely.

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

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WRMiami Dolphins#29

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

WRNew York Giants#14PPG LEADER

Malik Nabers

PPG

12.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Waddle

Malik Nabers

Head to Head

10.1 PPG12.0 PPG

16 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Malik Nabers: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #14 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jaylen Waddle is producing at 46% of elite pace and Malik Nabers at 55%. That ranking gap means Malik Nabers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Waddle vs Malik Nabers: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jaylen Waddle and Malik Nabers for your lineup, you are not alone. Jaylen Waddle finished the 2025 season at 10.1 PPG for the Miami Dolphins (16 games), and Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 for the New York Giants (4 games).

That 1.9-point weekly advantage for Malik Nabers 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 Malik Nabers drew 35. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Jaylen Waddle, even in weeks where Malik Nabers 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 Malik Nabers Week 8. 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. Malik Nabers (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Malik Nabers outscored Jaylen Waddle by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Malik Nabers's 4. 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.
•Malik Nabers is 5 years younger than Jaylen Waddle (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaylen Waddle vs Malik Nabers: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Waddle	Malik Nabers
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	12.0
Games Played	16	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	48
Receptions	64	18
Rec/Game	4.0	4.5
Receiving Yards	910	271
Rec Yds/Game	56.9	67.8
Receiving TDs	6	2
Targets	100	35
Target Share/Game	6.3	8.8
Age	27	22
Experience	4 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Malik Nabers at 12.0 PPG, 1.9 points per game above Jaylen Waddle's 10.1. 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 Malik Nabers in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Malik Nabers has the edge at 12.0 PPG compared to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1 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 Malik Nabers average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Malik Nabers averaged 12.0 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are Jaylen Waddle and Malik Nabers's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Malik Nabers (NYG) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaylen Waddle or Malik Nabers a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Malik Nabers outscored Jaylen Waddle by 1.9 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.