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Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Rashee Rice

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Rashee Rice is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Rashee Rice outscored Jaylen Waddle by 5.4 PPG in 2025 with 6 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Rashee Rice is the clear pick. Jaylen Waddle profiles as a matchup-dependent wide receiver who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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WRMiami Dolphins#29
Jaylen Waddle
PPG
10.1
Games
16
Rec
64
Rec Yds
910
Rec TDs
6
Targets
100
Bye
Week 12
WRKansas City Chiefs#5PPG LEADER
Rashee Rice
PPG
15.5
Games
8
Rec
53
Rec Yds
571
Rec TDs
5
Targets
78
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jaylen Waddle
Rashee Rice

Head to Head

10.1 PPG15.5 PPG
16 GP8 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Rashee Rice: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #5 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jaylen Waddle is producing at 46% of elite pace and Rashee Rice at 70%. That ranking gap means Rashee Rice carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Waddle vs Rashee Rice: Who Should You Start?

If you are choosing between Jaylen Waddle and Rashee Rice for your lineup, you are not alone. Jaylen Waddle finished the 2025 season at 10.1 PPG for the Miami Dolphins (16 games), and Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 for the Kansas City Chiefs (8 games).

That 5.4-point weekly advantage for Rashee Rice 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 Rashee Rice converted 78 looks into 571 yards and 5 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Jaylen Waddle has his bye in Week 12, and Rashee Rice rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver 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

Rashee Rice is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jaylen Waddle is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jaylen Waddle (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Rashee Rice (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Rashee Rice outscored Jaylen Waddle by a projected 92 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Rashee Rice's 8. 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
StatWaddleRice
PPG (Half-PPR)10.115.5
Games Played168
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)162124
Receptions6453
Rec/Game4.06.6
Receiving Yards910571
Rec Yds/Game56.971.4
Receiving TDs65
Targets10078
Target Share/Game6.39.8
Age2726
Experience4 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 12Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Rashee Rice at 15.5 PPG, 5.4 points per game above Jaylen Waddle's 10.1. 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 Rashee Rice in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Rashee Rice has the edge at 15.5 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 Rashee Rice average in 2025?

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 5.4 points per game.

When are Jaylen Waddle and Rashee Rice's bye weeks in 2026?

Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 12, and Rashee Rice (KC) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaylen Waddle or Rashee Rice a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Rashee Rice outscored Jaylen Waddle by 5.4 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.

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