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Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jahmyr Gibbs vs Jaylen Waddle

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Jahmyr Gibbs is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Jahmyr Gibbs (19.3 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Jaylen Waddle (10.1 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.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBDetroit Lions#4PPG LEADER
Jahmyr Gibbs
PPG
19.3
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,223
Rush TDs
13
Rec
77
Rec Yds
616
Bye
Week 8
WRMiami Dolphins#29
Jaylen Waddle
PPG
10.1
Games
16
Rec
64
Rec Yds
910
Rec TDs
6
Targets
100
Bye
Week 12

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jahmyr Gibbs
Jaylen Waddle

Head to Head

19.3 PPG10.1 PPG
17 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Jahmyr Gibbs: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #4 at the position). Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 1 (Elite) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR in most league formats.

Jahmyr Gibbs vs Jaylen Waddle: Who Should You Start?

Comparing Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Detroit Lions) against Jaylen Waddle (WR, Miami Dolphins) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Jahmyr Gibbs averaged 19.3 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Jaylen Waddle posted 10.1 PPG across 16 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.

Jahmyr Gibbs has his bye in Week 8, Jaylen Waddle in Week 12. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Jahmyr Gibbs at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Jaylen Waddle is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jahmyr Gibbs (age 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Jaylen Waddle (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Jahmyr Gibbs outscored Jaylen Waddle by a projected 156 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jahmyr Gibbs played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaylen Waddle's 16. That durability gap means Jahmyr Gibbs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Jahmyr Gibbs scored 18 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Jahmyr Gibbs caught 77 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatGibbsWaddle
PPG (Half-PPR)19.310.1
Games Played1716
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)328162
Rushing Yards1,22328
Rush Yds/Game71.91.8
Rushing TDs130
Receptions7764
Receiving Yards616910
Targets94100
Total TDs186
Age2427
Experience2 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 12

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jahmyr Gibbs holds the PPG edge with strong output at 19.3 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jahmyr Gibbs or Jaylen Waddle in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jahmyr Gibbs has the edge at 19.3 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 Jahmyr Gibbs and Jaylen Waddle average in 2025?

Jahmyr Gibbs averaged 19.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 9.2 points per game.

When are Jahmyr Gibbs and Jaylen Waddle's bye weeks in 2026?

Jahmyr Gibbs (DET) has a bye in Week 8, and Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.