Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are unique cases for fantasy football at this moment in the NFL season. Due to Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion, we have seen decreased production for both wide receivers. Heading into Week 4, we may see another starting quarterback in Tyler Huntley due to an injury with Skylar Thompson.
With this carousel under center, fantasy football managers are pondering which wide receiver is the better option in this watered-down, high-flying Miami Dolphins offense.
🎥 Tyler Huntley on potentially starting for the Miami Dolphins: "That's a child's dream. Being able to play for your home team… it'd mean everything in the world." (@MiamiDolphins) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/I6XdcrDLtB
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) September 26, 2024
Should You Start Tyreek Hill or Haylen Waddle in Week 4?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say that Hill is the player to start. Hill is projected for 12.7 total fantasy points with 59.4 receiving yards from 4.4 receptions. Waddle’s fantasy outlook sits at 10.8 total fantasy points from 51.7 receiving yards from 3.9 receptions.
Even though Hill will draw the more challenging coverage candidate with L’Jarius Snead, we agree with the Optimizer. However, his talent and speed should help create enough separation in the Dolphins’ offensive scheme to lead the day as the wide receiver.
Hill’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Even though the Dolphins have faced a change in their quarterback, Hill has seen his fair share of the targets. TruMedia ranks Hill’s total targets as 19th in the NFL with 23. His 194 receiving yards are 17th best in the NFL. Hill has always created mayhem for the defense after the catch. His 9.2 yards after the catch per reception sit as the fifth-highest in the NFL.
This potent Titans defense would be wise not to allow Hill to put his hands on the ball; once he does, it can be game over for their team. The Dolphins will look to hit the home-run play to elevate their struggling offense, and Hill is the perfect player, as he had the second-longest reception in 2024 so far in Week 1.
Waddle’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Waddle can also dominate downfield, which is why this Dolphins’ offense is so dangerous. Waddle possesses the ninth-longest reception on the season and an air-yards-per-target mark over three yards shorter than Hill’s.
Waddle’s speed has not yet been fully capitalized upon this season, as he has only seen 14 targets. The issue with playing with a backup quarterback is the playbook typically shrinks. Their options per play are usually minimized as the head coach tries to protect the less-talented quarterback. It usually becomes a first-read or check-down style offense, leaving a WR2 like Waddle out in the cold.
As long as we don’t have Tagovailoa under center, it’s hard to trust that anyone other than Hill could outperform their fantasy projections from this Dolphins wide receiver room.