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Head to Head

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Austin Hooper vs Noah GrayWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Noah Gray is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.6 PPG to Austin Hooper's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Noah Gray is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Noah Gray edges Austin Hooper by 0.6 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 Gray 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
TEKansas City Chiefs#99PPG LEADER
Noah Gray
PPG
4.6
Games
17
Rec
38
Rec Yds
385
Rec TDs
2
Targets
50
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Austin Hooper
Noah Gray

Head to Head

4.0 PPG4.6 PPG
15 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Hooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Noah Gray: 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 Noah Gray at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Hooper vs Noah Gray: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Austin Hooper and Noah Gray is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.6 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 Noah Gray posted 4.6 with the Kansas City Chiefs in 17.

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; Noah Gray posted 38 for 385. 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 Noah Gray rests in Week 6. 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. Noah Gray (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Noah Gray outscored Austin Hooper by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Noah Gray played 17 games in 2025 compared to Austin Hooper's 15. That durability gap means Noah Gray contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Noah Gray scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Noah Gray saw 50 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 Gray: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAustin HooperNoah Gray
PPG (Half-PPR)4.04.6
Games Played1517
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)6078
Receptions3238
Rec/Game2.12.2
Receiving Yards292385
Rec Yds/Game19.522.6
Receiving TDs12
Targets4250
Target Share/Game2.82.9
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 6

Summary

Noah Gray outscored Austin Hooper by 0.6 PPG in 2025 (4.6 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 Noah Gray in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Noah Gray has the edge at 4.6 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 Noah Gray average in 2025?

Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Noah Gray averaged 4.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

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

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

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

Noah Gray outscored Austin Hooper by 0.6 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.