Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Michael PittmanWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to Michael Pittman's 9.6 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 Michael Pittman by 0.5 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

WRIndianapolis Colts#33

Michael Pittman

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

784

Rec TDs

Targets

111

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Waddle

Michael Pittman

Head to Head

10.1 PPG9.6 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Michael Pittman: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jaylen Waddle is producing at 46% of elite pace and Michael Pittman at 44%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Waddle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Waddle vs Michael Pittman: The Full Breakdown

Jaylen Waddle (10.1 PPG) and Michael Pittman (9.6 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Jaylen Waddle played 16 games for the Miami Dolphins; Michael Pittman suited up 17 times for the Indianapolis Colts.

A 0.5-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Jaylen Waddle turned 100 targets into 910 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Michael Pittman converted 111 looks into 784 yards and 7 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jaylen Waddle sits Week 6 while Michael Pittman is off Week 13. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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. Michael Pittman (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Waddle outscored Michael Pittman by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Pittman played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaylen Waddle's 16. That durability gap means Michael Pittman contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Michael Pittman scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Michael Pittman saw 111 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 Michael Pittman: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Waddle	Michael Pittman
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	9.6
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	163
Receptions	64	80
Rec/Game	4.0	4.7
Receiving Yards	910	784
Rec Yds/Game	56.9	46.1
Receiving TDs	6	7
Targets	100	111
Target Share/Game	6.3	6.5
Age	27	28
Experience	4 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 13

Summary

Jaylen Waddle outscored Michael Pittman by 0.5 PPG in 2025 (10.1 to 9.6). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jaylen Waddle or Michael Pittman in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Michael Pittman's 9.6 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 Michael Pittman average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Jaylen Waddle and Michael Pittman's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Michael Pittman (IND) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaylen Waddle or Michael Pittman a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle outscored Michael Pittman by 0.5 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.