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Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Austin Hooper or Noah FantWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Noah Fant over Austin Hooper in 2026.

Noah Fant (4.4 PPG) and Austin Hooper (4.0) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Both play tight ends, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

This one is genuinely close. Noah Fant 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, Noah Fant 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

Austin Hooper

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

292

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TECincinnati Bengals#39PPG LEADER

Noah Fant

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

288

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Austin Hooper

Noah Fant

Head to Head

4.0 PPG4.4 PPG

15 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Hooper: Unranked TE. Noah Fant: Tier 4 (Deep League) TE (ranked #39 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Austin Hooper is producing at 18% of elite pace and Noah Fant at 20%. Their per-game production is close enough that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Hooper vs Noah Fant: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Austin Hooper finished the 2025 season at 4.0 PPG over 15 games with the New England Patriots, while Noah Fant clocked in at 4.4 across 13 appearances for the Cincinnati Bengals. A 0.4-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Austin Hooper had 32 catches for 292 yards; Noah Fant posted 34 for 288. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

One scheduling note: Austin Hooper is off Week 14 and Noah Fant Week 6. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Noah Fant (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Noah Fant outscored Austin Hooper by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Hooper played 15 games in 2025 compared to Noah Fant's 13. That durability gap means Austin Hooper contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Noah Fant scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 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 Noah Fant: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Hooper	Noah Fant
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	4.4
Games Played	15	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	60	57
Receptions	32	34
Rec/Game	2.1	2.6
Receiving Yards	292	288
Rec Yds/Game	19.5	22.2
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	42	41
Target Share/Game	2.8	3.2
Age	-	28
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Noah Fant holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 4.4 points per game. Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Hooper or Noah Fant in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Noah Fant 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.

Should I draft Austin Hooper or Noah Fant in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Noah Fant and Austin Hooper come off the board in the same range, so take whichever fits your roster build. Noah Fant averaged 4.4 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Austin Hooper's 4.0, a gap of under a point. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Austin Hooper and Noah Fant average in 2025?▾

Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Noah Fant averaged 4.4 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Austin Hooper and Noah Fant's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Hooper (NE) has a bye in Week 14, and Noah Fant (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Hooper or Noah Fant a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Noah Fant 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.