Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Terry McLaurinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to Terry McLaurin's 9.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Jaylen Waddle and Terry McLaurin are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

WRWashington Commanders#35

Terry McLaurin

PPG

9.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

582

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Waddle

Terry McLaurin

Head to Head

10.1 PPG9.5 PPG

16 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Terry McLaurin: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jaylen Waddle is producing at 46% of elite pace and Terry McLaurin at 43%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Waddle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Waddle vs Terry McLaurin: The Full Breakdown

Jaylen Waddle (10.1 PPG) and Terry McLaurin (9.5 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; Terry McLaurin suited up 10 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 0.6-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.

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

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jaylen Waddle sits Week 6 while Terry McLaurin is off Week 7. 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. Terry McLaurin (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Waddle outscored Terry McLaurin by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Terry McLaurin's 10. 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 Terry McLaurin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Waddle	Terry McLaurin
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	9.5
Games Played	16	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	95
Receptions	64	38
Rec/Game	4.0	3.8
Receiving Yards	910	582
Rec Yds/Game	56.9	58.2
Receiving TDs	6	3
Targets	100	60
Target Share/Game	6.3	6.0
Age	27	30
Experience	4 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

10.1 PPG for Jaylen Waddle versus 9.5 for Terry McLaurin in 2025. The baseline favors Jaylen Waddle, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jaylen Waddle or Terry McLaurin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Terry McLaurin's 9.5 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 Terry McLaurin average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Terry McLaurin averaged 9.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Jaylen Waddle and Terry McLaurin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Jaylen Waddle or Terry McLaurin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle outscored Terry McLaurin by 0.6 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.