Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Tetairoa McMillanWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tetairoa McMillan is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tetairoa McMillan is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Tetairoa McMillan edges Jaylen Waddle by 0.4 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, Tetairoa McMillan 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Jaylen Waddle and Tetairoa McMillan in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRMiami Dolphins#29

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

WRCarolina Panthers#26PPG LEADER

Tetairoa McMillan

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,014

Rec TDs

Targets

122

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Waddle

Tetairoa McMillan

Head to Head

10.1 PPG10.5 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Tetairoa McMillan: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #26 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jaylen Waddle is producing at 46% of elite pace and Tetairoa McMillan at 48%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Jaylen Waddle vs Tetairoa McMillan: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Jaylen Waddle finished the 2025 season at 10.1 PPG over 16 games with the Miami Dolphins, while Tetairoa McMillan clocked in at 10.5 across 17 appearances for the Carolina Panthers. A 0.4-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Jaylen Waddle turned 100 targets into 910 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Tetairoa McMillan converted 122 looks into 1014 yards and 7 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Jaylen Waddle is off Week 6 and Tetairoa McMillan Week 5. 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. Tetairoa McMillan (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Tetairoa McMillan outscored Jaylen Waddle by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tetairoa McMillan played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaylen Waddle's 16. That durability gap means Tetairoa McMillan contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tetairoa McMillan scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Tetairoa McMillan saw 122 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Tetairoa McMillan is 4 years younger than Jaylen Waddle (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaylen Waddle vs Tetairoa McMillan: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Waddle	Tetairoa McMillan
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	10.5
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	179
Receptions	64	70
Rec/Game	4.0	4.1
Receiving Yards	910	1,014
Rec Yds/Game	56.9	59.6
Receiving TDs	6	7
Targets	100	122
Target Share/Game	6.3	7.2
Age	27	23
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Tetairoa McMillan holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.5 points per game. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Jaylen Waddle vs Tetairoa McMillan

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Jaylen Waddle vs Tetairoa McMillan

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jaylen Waddle or Tetairoa McMillan in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tetairoa McMillan has the edge at 10.5 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 Tetairoa McMillan average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tetairoa McMillan averaged 10.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Jaylen Waddle and Tetairoa McMillan's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaylen Waddle or Tetairoa McMillan a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Tetairoa McMillan outscored Jaylen Waddle by 0.4 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.