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Jaylen Waddle vs Pat FreiermuthWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Jaylen Waddle (10.1 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Pat Freiermuth (6.2 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

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
16
Rec
64
Rec Yds
910
Rec TDs
6
Targets
100
Bye
Week 6
TEPittsburgh Steelers#28
Pat Freiermuth
PPG
6.2
Games
15
Rec
41
Rec Yds
486
Rec TDs
4
Targets
54
Bye
Week 9

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jaylen Waddle
Pat Freiermuth

Head to Head

10.1 PPG6.2 PPG
16 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE in most league formats.

Jaylen Waddle vs Pat Freiermuth: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Jaylen Waddle (WR, Miami Dolphins) against Pat Freiermuth (TE, Pittsburgh Steelers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 PPG in 2025 over 16 games, while Pat Freiermuth posted 6.2 PPG across 15 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Jaylen Waddle has his bye in Week 6, Pat Freiermuth in Week 9. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Jaylen Waddle at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. Pat Freiermuth is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jaylen Waddle (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Jaylen Waddle outscored Pat Freiermuth by a projected 66 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Pat Freiermuth'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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaylen Waddle vs Pat Freiermuth: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJaylen WaddlePat Freiermuth
PPG (Half-PPR)10.16.2
Games Played1615
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)16293
Receptions6441
Rec/Game4.02.7
Receiving Yards910486
Rec Yds/Game56.932.4
Receiving TDs64
Targets10054
Target Share/Game6.33.6
Age2727
Experience4 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 6Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jaylen Waddle holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.1 points per game. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 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 Pat Freiermuth in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 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 Pat Freiermuth average in 2025?

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.9 points per game.

When are Jaylen Waddle and Pat Freiermuth's bye weeks in 2026?

Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.