Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Troy FranklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.1 PPG to Troy Franklin's 8.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Waddle is the better fantasy play this season.

Jaylen Waddle is the better play on a neutral week. 10.1 PPG with 946 yards gives a reliable baseline. Troy Franklin at 8.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jaylen Waddle higher, but do not fade Troy Franklin entirely.

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

WRDenver Broncos#44

Troy Franklin

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

709

Rec TDs

Targets

104

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Waddle

Troy Franklin

Head to Head

10.1 PPG8.5 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Troy Franklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #44 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jaylen Waddle is producing at 46% of elite pace and Troy Franklin at 39%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Waddle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Waddle vs Troy Franklin: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jaylen Waddle and Troy Franklin for your lineup, you are not alone. Jaylen Waddle finished the 2025 season at 10.1 PPG for the Miami Dolphins (16 games), and Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 for the Denver Broncos (17 games).

That 1.6-point weekly advantage for Jaylen Waddle 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.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Jaylen Waddle turned 100 targets into 910 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Troy Franklin converted 104 looks into 709 yards and 6 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 Troy Franklin is off Week 10. 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. Troy Franklin (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Waddle outscored Troy Franklin by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Troy Franklin played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaylen Waddle's 16. That durability gap means Troy Franklin 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.
•Troy Franklin saw 104 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Troy Franklin is 4 years younger than Jaylen Waddle (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaylen Waddle vs Troy Franklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Waddle	Troy Franklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	8.5
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	145
Receptions	64	65
Rec/Game	4.0	3.8
Receiving Yards	910	709
Rec Yds/Game	56.9	41.7
Receiving TDs	6	6
Targets	100	104
Target Share/Game	6.3	6.1
Age	27	23
Experience	4 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jaylen Waddle at 10.1 PPG, 1.6 points per game above Troy Franklin's 8.5. 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 Troy Franklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Waddle has the edge at 10.1 PPG compared to Troy Franklin's 8.5 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 Troy Franklin average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Jaylen Waddle and Troy Franklin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Troy Franklin (DEN) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaylen Waddle or Troy Franklin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle outscored Troy Franklin by 1.6 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.