There will probably be questions about how much fantasy football value the skill-position players on the Miami Dolphins still have, with Skylar Thompson now at quarterback. But if fantasy managers must choose between wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, which player is the better choice for Week 3?
Here’s the fantasy outlook for each player entering Week 3.
Projecting Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle’s Fantasy Output in Week 3
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s consensus rankings say that Hill is the player to start. His projected 13.7 points include five receptions and 64 receiving yards. That stat line narrowly outperforms the consensus for Waddle (11.7 points, four receptions, and 56 receiving yards)
My ranking of these two wide receivers aligns with the consensus. Thompson figures to find his best target in this game, and that is Hill. While the fantasy numbers likely won’t be as strong as they would be with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, Hill should still outperform Waddle this week.
Hill’s Week 3 Fantasy Outlook
The drop off in Hill’s production from Week 1 (12 targets, seven receptions, 130 receiving yards, one touchdown, 26.0 fantasy points) to Week 2 (six targets, three receptions, 24 yards, 6.6 fantasy points) should be concerning for fantasy managers.
In addition, since 2022 (including the playoffs), Hill’s receiving yards with Thompson at quarterback (89.7 receiving yards per game) is well off his yards with Tagovailoa at QB (107.0).
However, the extra practice days — nine days between games for the Dolphins — should be a benefit for both Thompson and Hill with their connection. Hill also spoke in the locker room this week about what Thompson can offer the offense in Tua’s absence.
🎥 Tyreek Hill on Skylar Thompson: “He’s a little bit faster than Tua, so I’m really excited about that. He does a great job of extending plays… he’s a real competitor.” (@MiamiDolphins) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/5zKLDOzNVQ
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) September 21, 2024
One other note worth mentioning is that since Hill joined the Dolphins in 2022, he has played three games on the West Coast. His numbers in these three games were 8.0 receptions per game, 147.3 receiving yards per game, and four touchdowns.
I’ll take the extra practice time and his success out west as ample reasons to go with Hill this week.
Waddle’s Week 3 Fantasy Outlook
Since 2022, Waddle’s numbers with Tagovailoa at quarterback (4.7 receptions per game, 16.3 yards per reception, 76.8 receiving yards per game) are not that different when Thompson is in (4.7 receptions per game, 15.5 yards per reception, 72.3 receiving yards per game).
Like Hill, Waddle is coming off a disappointing performance in Week 2, catching four passes for only 41 yards in the loss to the Buffalo Bills. The numbers were well off his impressive performance in Week 1, when he caught five passes for 109 yards, an average of 21.8 yards per reception.
MORE: Soppe’s Week 3 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em — Analysis for Every Player in Every Game
One concerning aspect of Waddle’s production lately has been his lack of touchdowns. Not only has he not yet scored a touchdown in two games this season, but dating back to last season, Waddle has only one touchdown reception in his last nine games.
Until he shows he can get back in the end zone, it’s difficult to support choosing Waddle over Hill in fantasy lineups.
Stats in this article are from TruMedia unless otherwise stated.