Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Hooper vs Colby ParkinsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.7 PPG to Austin Hooper's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy play this season.

Colby Parkinson is the better play on a neutral week. 7.7 PPG with 408 yards gives a reliable baseline. Austin Hooper at 4.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Colby Parkinson higher, but do not fade Austin Hooper entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Austin Hooper and Colby Parkinson in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TENew England Patriots#99

Austin Hooper

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

292

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TELos Angeles Rams#21PPG LEADER

Colby Parkinson

PPG

7.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

408

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Austin Hooper

Colby Parkinson

Head to Head

4.0 PPG7.7 PPG

15 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Hooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Colby Parkinson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #21 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Austin Hooper is producing at 18% of elite pace and Colby Parkinson at 35%. That ranking gap means Colby Parkinson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Hooper vs Colby Parkinson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Austin Hooper and Colby Parkinson for your lineup, you are not alone. Austin Hooper finished the 2025 season at 4.0 PPG for the New England Patriots (15 games), and Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 for the Los Angeles Rams (14 games).

That 3.7-point weekly advantage for Colby Parkinson 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 see steady target volume for the tight end position. Austin Hooper had 32 catches for 292 yards; Colby Parkinson posted 43 for 408. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Austin Hooper sits Week 14 while Colby Parkinson is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

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

Did You Know?

•Colby Parkinson outscored Austin Hooper by a projected 63 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Hooper played 15 games in 2025 compared to Colby Parkinson's 14. That durability gap means Austin Hooper contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Colby Parkinson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Colby Parkinson saw 56 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Hooper vs Colby Parkinson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Hooper	Colby Parkinson
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	7.7
Games Played	15	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	60	108
Receptions	32	43
Rec/Game	2.1	3.1
Receiving Yards	292	408
Rec Yds/Game	19.5	29.1
Receiving TDs	1	8
Targets	42	56
Target Share/Game	2.8	4.0
Age	-	27
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Colby Parkinson at 7.7 PPG, 3.7 points per game above Austin Hooper's 4.0. 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Austin Hooper vs Colby Parkinson

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Austin Hooper vs Colby Parkinson

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Hooper or Colby Parkinson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Colby Parkinson has the edge at 7.7 PPG compared to Austin Hooper's 4.0 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 Austin Hooper and Colby Parkinson average in 2025?▾

Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.7 points per game.

When are Austin Hooper and Colby Parkinson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Hooper (NE) has a bye in Week 14, and Colby Parkinson (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Hooper or Colby Parkinson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Colby Parkinson outscored Austin Hooper by 3.7 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.