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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Austin Hooper or Tucker KraftWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Tucker Kraft over Austin Hooper in 2026.

Tucker Kraft averaged 12.6 PPG in 2025 to Austin Hooper's 4.0, a 8.6 point per game edge. Kraft posted that edge in only 8 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability.

The Bottom Line

The gap here is significant. Tucker Kraft outscored Austin Hooper by 8.6 PPG in 2025 with 6 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Tucker Kraft is the clear pick. Austin Hooper profiles as a matchup-dependent tight end who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TENew England Patriots

Austin Hooper

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

292

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TEGreen Bay Packers#2PPG LEADER

Tucker Kraft

PPG

12.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Austin Hooper

Tucker Kraft

Head to Head

4.0 PPG12.6 PPG

15 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Hooper: Unranked TE. Tucker Kraft: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Austin Hooper is producing at 18% of elite pace and Tucker Kraft at 57%. That per-game gap means Tucker Kraft carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Hooper vs Tucker Kraft: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Tucker Kraft put up 12.6 fantasy points per game for the Green Bay Packers in 2025, while Austin Hooper managed 4.0 across 15 games with the New England Patriots. A 8.6-point weekly edge is substantial at the tight end position.

That 8.6-point weekly advantage for Tucker Kraft is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Austin Hooper had 32 catches for 292 yards; Tucker Kraft posted 32 for 489. 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 Tucker Kraft is off Week 11. 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

Tucker Kraft 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. Tucker Kraft (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Tucker Kraft outscored Austin Hooper by a projected 146 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Hooper played 15 games in 2025 compared to Tucker Kraft's 8. That durability gap means Austin Hooper contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tucker Kraft scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Tucker Kraft saw 44 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 Tucker Kraft: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Hooper	Tucker Kraft
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	12.6
Games Played	15	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	60	101
Receptions	32	32
Rec/Game	2.1	4.0
Receiving Yards	292	489
Rec Yds/Game	19.5	61.1
Receiving TDs	1	6
Targets	42	44
Target Share/Game	2.8	5.5
Age	-	25
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Tucker Kraft at 12.6 PPG, 8.6 points per game above Austin Hooper's 4.0. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Hooper or Tucker Kraft in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tucker Kraft has the edge at 12.6 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.

Should I draft Austin Hooper or Tucker Kraft in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Tucker Kraft is the earlier pick. He averaged 12.6 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Austin Hooper's 4.0, a 8.6 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Austin Hooper and Tucker Kraft average in 2025?▾

Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Tucker Kraft averaged 12.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 8.6 points per game.

When are Austin Hooper and Tucker Kraft's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Hooper (NE) has a bye in Week 14, and Tucker Kraft (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Hooper or Tucker Kraft a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tucker Kraft outscored Austin Hooper by 8.6 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.