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Head to Head

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Austin Hooper vs Gunnar HelmWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Gunnar Helm is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.4 PPG to Austin Hooper's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Gunnar Helm is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Gunnar Helm edges Austin Hooper by 0.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Gunnar Helm goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TENew England Patriots#99
Austin Hooper
PPG
4.0
Games
15
Rec
32
Rec Yds
292
Rec TDs
1
Targets
42
Bye
Week 14
TETennessee Titans#40PPG LEADER
Gunnar Helm
PPG
4.4
Games
16
Rec
44
Rec Yds
357
Rec TDs
2
Targets
55
Bye
Week 9

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Austin Hooper
Gunnar Helm

Head to Head

4.0 PPG4.4 PPG
15 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Hooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Austin Hooper is producing at 18% of elite pace and Gunnar Helm at 20%. That ranking gap means Gunnar Helm carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Hooper vs Gunnar Helm: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Austin Hooper and Gunnar Helm is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.4 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 PPG with the New England Patriots across 15 games, and Gunnar Helm posted 4.4 with the Tennessee Titans in 16.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Austin Hooper had 32 catches for 292 yards; Gunnar Helm posted 44 for 357. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Austin Hooper has his bye in Week 14, and Gunnar Helm rests in Week 9. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Austin Hooper (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Gunnar Helm (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Gunnar Helm outscored Austin Hooper by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to Austin Hooper's 15. That durability gap means Gunnar Helm contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Gunnar Helm scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Gunnar Helm saw 55 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 Gunnar Helm: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAustin HooperGunnar Helm
PPG (Half-PPR)4.04.4
Games Played1516
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)6070
Receptions3244
Rec/Game2.12.8
Receiving Yards292357
Rec Yds/Game19.522.3
Receiving TDs12
Targets4255
Target Share/Game2.83.4
Age-23
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 9

Summary

Gunnar Helm outscored Austin Hooper by 0.4 PPG in 2025 (4.4 to 4.0). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Hooper or Gunnar Helm in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Gunnar Helm has the edge at 4.4 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 Gunnar Helm average in 2025?

Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Austin Hooper and Gunnar Helm's bye weeks in 2026?

Austin Hooper (NE) has a bye in Week 14, and Gunnar Helm (TEN) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Hooper or Gunnar Helm a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Gunnar Helm outscored Austin Hooper by 0.4 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.