Who Should I Start? Jaylen Waddle or Rashid Shaheed


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
12.2 0.8 0.0 4.4 57.8 0.3

Jaylen Waddle News

Jaylen Waddle Draws Praise From Sean Payton

Friday, July 10, 4:29 PM

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton appears to be excited about adding speedy wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to his offense in 2026, and he's been impressed with him this offseason, according to Susanna Weir of the team's official website. "He's someone who picks things up real quick," Payton said in June. "You can just feel his instincts, his quickness and his ability to not only run fast but stop fast. So, he's doing well." Payton said there was a "crystal-clear vision" for the former sixth overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2021 when they sent a first-rounder to Miami to acquire Waddle this offseason. He had three 1,000-yard seasons in his first five years in Miami and has averaged 81 catches for 1,098 yards and six touchdowns per year. Payton loves the versatility and flexibility that the 27-year-old brings to the fold. The Broncos already have Courtland Sutton, who has been their clear WR1 for years, but Waddle brings a different dynamic and could immediately become quarterback Bo Nix's most targeted wideout as Denver's offense looks to become more dynamic and explosive. Waddle's 15.0 yards per catch since 2022 are the third-most in the NFL, and he led the league in 2022 with 18.1 yards per catch. In his new digs, Waddle's fantasy stock is back on the rise, and he should be targeted as a low-end WR2 with upside in 2026.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
7.8 4.2 0.0 2.5 36.4 0.2

Rashid Shaheed News

Rashid Shaheed has "Big Spring," a Bigger Role Coming in 2026?

Tuesday, June 30, 9:19 AM

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Seattle Seahawks speedy wide receiver Rashid Shaheed had a "major spring," and he and quarterback Sam Darnold are "hitting it off." The Seahawks are expected to employ more motions and shifts this year under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, and they are planning to give Shaheed more work in the underneath and intermediate areas of the field. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Weber State could be a big-time player for the Seahawks in 2026 after he caught 15 of 26 targets for 188 yards and no touchdowns in nine regular-season games (four starts) after the Seahawks acquired him midseason from the New Orleans Saints. Shaheed had only three grabs on 10 targets for 78 yards in three postseason games, so he wasn't exactly a big part of last year's offense. Apparently that could change under Fleury, making the speedy wideout a potential late-round sleeper in fantasy drafts this fall. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 59 fantasy WR. In nine starts with the Saints before being traded in 2025, Shaheed had 44 receptions for 499 yards and two scores on 66 targets.


Jaylen Waddle vs. Rashid Shaheed

Still trying to decide between Waddle and Shaheed? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jaylen Waddle is projected to score 12.2 points this week while Rashid Shaheed is projected to score 7.8 points.