Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Hooper vs Jake FergusonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Austin Hooper's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy play this season.

Jake Ferguson is the better play on a neutral week. 8.7 PPG with 601 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 Jake Ferguson higher, but do not fade Austin Hooper entirely.

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

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TENew England Patriots#99

Austin Hooper

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

292

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TEDallas Cowboys#14PPG LEADER

Jake Ferguson

PPG

8.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

600

Rec TDs

Targets

102

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Austin Hooper

Jake Ferguson

Head to Head

4.0 PPG8.7 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Hooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Jake Ferguson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #14 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Austin Hooper is producing at 18% of elite pace and Jake Ferguson at 40%. That ranking gap means Jake Ferguson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Hooper vs Jake Ferguson: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Austin Hooper and Jake Ferguson is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New England Patriots tight end put up 4.0 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Jake Ferguson of the Dallas Cowboys averaged 8.7 in 17. A 4.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.7 points favors Jake Ferguson, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Jake Ferguson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 600 yards, while Austin Hooper profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 32 catches). In weeks where Austin Hooper finds the end zone he out-scores Jake Ferguson, but the floor gap is real.

Both share a Week 14 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

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

Did You Know?

•Jake Ferguson outscored Austin Hooper by a projected 80 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jake Ferguson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Austin Hooper's 15. That durability gap means Jake Ferguson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jake Ferguson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jake Ferguson saw 102 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Both players share a Week 14 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Hooper vs Jake Ferguson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Hooper	Jake Ferguson
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	8.7
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	60	148
Receptions	32	82
Rec/Game	2.1	4.8
Receiving Yards	292	600
Rec Yds/Game	19.5	35.3
Receiving TDs	1	8
Targets	42	102
Target Share/Game	2.8	6.0
Age	-	27
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 14

Summary

8.7 PPG for Jake Ferguson versus 4.0 for Austin Hooper in 2025. The baseline favors Jake Ferguson, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Hooper or Jake Ferguson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Ferguson has the edge at 8.7 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 Jake Ferguson average in 2025?▾

Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.7 points per game.

Do Austin Hooper and Jake Ferguson share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Austin Hooper and Jake Ferguson share a Week 14 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Austin Hooper or Jake Ferguson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jake Ferguson outscored Austin Hooper by 4.7 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.