Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Hooper vs Hayden HurstWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Hooper is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.0 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Hooper is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Austin Hooper edges Hayden Hurst by 0.3 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, Austin Hooper 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Austin Hooper and Hayden Hurst in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TENew England Patriots#99PPG LEADER

Austin Hooper

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

292

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TELos Angeles Chargers#99

Hayden Hurst

PPG

3.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Austin Hooper

Hayden Hurst

Head to Head

4.0 PPG3.7 PPG

15 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Hooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Austin Hooper is producing at 18% of elite pace and Hayden Hurst at 17%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Hooper vs Hayden Hurst: The Full Breakdown

Austin Hooper (4.0 PPG) and Hayden Hurst (3.7 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Austin Hooper played 15 games for the New England Patriots; Hayden Hurst suited up 14 times for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 0.3-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Austin Hooper had 32 catches for 292 yards; Hayden Hurst posted 25 for 238. 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 Hayden Hurst is off Week 5. 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

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. Hayden Hurst (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Austin Hooper outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Hooper played 15 games in 2025 compared to Hayden Hurst's 14. That durability gap means Austin Hooper contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Austin Hooper scored 1 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Austin Hooper saw 42 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 Hayden Hurst: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Hooper	Hayden Hurst
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	3.7
Games Played	15	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	60	52
Receptions	32	25
Rec/Game	2.1	1.8
Receiving Yards	292	238
Rec Yds/Game	19.5	17.0
Receiving TDs	1	1
Targets	42	35
Target Share/Game	2.8	2.5
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Austin Hooper holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 4.0 points per game. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Austin Hooper vs Hayden Hurst

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 Hayden Hurst

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 Hayden Hurst in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Hooper has the edge at 4.0 PPG compared to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 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 Hayden Hurst average in 2025?▾

Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Austin Hooper and Hayden Hurst's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Hooper (NE) has a bye in Week 14, and Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Hooper or Hayden Hurst a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Austin Hooper outscored Hayden Hurst by 0.3 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.