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Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Darren Waller vs Kyle Pitts

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Kyle Pitts is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Kyle Pitts edges Darren Waller by 0.2 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, Kyle Pitts 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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TEMiami Dolphins#8
Darren Waller
PPG
9.6
Games
8
Rec
24
Rec Yds
283
Rec TDs
6
Targets
34
Bye
Week 12
TEAtlanta Falcons#6PPG LEADER
Kyle Pitts
PPG
9.8
Games
17
Rec
88
Rec Yds
928
Rec TDs
5
Targets
118
Bye
Week 5

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Darren Waller
Kyle Pitts

Head to Head

9.6 PPG9.8 PPG
8 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Kyle Pitts: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #6 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darren Waller is producing at 44% of elite pace and Kyle Pitts at 45%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Darren Waller vs Kyle Pitts: Who Should You Start?

The gap between Darren Waller and Kyle Pitts is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 PPG with the Miami Dolphins across 8 games, and Kyle Pitts posted 9.8 with the Atlanta Falcons in 17.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Kyle Pitts is the volume tight end in this matchup with 88 receptions for 928 yards, while Darren Waller profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (6 scores on 24 catches). In weeks where Darren Waller finds the end zone he out-scores Kyle Pitts, but the floor gap is real.

Darren Waller has his bye in Week 12, and Kyle Pitts rests in Week 5. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Kyle Pitts (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Kyle Pitts outscored Darren Waller by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Kyle Pitts played 17 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Kyle Pitts contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Darren Waller scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Kyle Pitts saw 118 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
  • Kyle Pitts is 8 years younger than Darren Waller (25 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatWallerPitts
PPG (Half-PPR)9.69.8
Games Played817
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)77167
Receptions2488
Rec/Game3.05.2
Receiving Yards283928
Rec Yds/Game35.454.6
Receiving TDs65
Targets34118
Target Share/Game4.36.9
Age3325
Experience10 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 12Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Kyle Pitts holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.8 points per game. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 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 Darren Waller or Kyle Pitts in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyle Pitts has the edge at 9.8 PPG compared to Darren Waller'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 Darren Waller and Kyle Pitts average in 2025?

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Kyle Pitts averaged 9.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Darren Waller and Kyle Pitts's bye weeks in 2026?

Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 12, and Kyle Pitts (ATL) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darren Waller or Kyle Pitts a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Kyle Pitts outscored Darren Waller by 0.2 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.