Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Hooper vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.5 PPG to Austin Hooper's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy play this season.

Tyler Higbee is the better play on a neutral week. 6.5 PPG with 281 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 Tyler Higbee higher, but do not fade Austin Hooper entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Austin Hooper and Tyler Higbee in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TENew England Patriots#99

Austin Hooper

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

292

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TELos Angeles Rams#25PPG LEADER

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Austin Hooper

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

4.0 PPG6.5 PPG

15 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Hooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Austin Hooper is producing at 18% of elite pace and Tyler Higbee at 30%. That ranking gap means Tyler Higbee carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Hooper vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Austin Hooper and Tyler Higbee is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New England Patriots tight end put up 4.0 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Tyler Higbee of the Los Angeles Rams averaged 6.5 in 9. A 2.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.5 points favors Tyler Higbee, 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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Austin Hooper had 32 catches for 292 yards; Tyler Higbee posted 25 for 281. 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 Tyler Higbee 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

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. Tyler Higbee (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Higbee outscored Austin Hooper by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Hooper played 15 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. That durability gap means Austin Hooper contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tyler Higbee scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 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 Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Hooper	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	6.5
Games Played	15	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	60	59
Receptions	32	25
Rec/Game	2.1	2.8
Receiving Yards	292	281
Rec Yds/Game	19.5	31.2
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	42	36
Target Share/Game	2.8	4.0
Age	-	33
Experience	-	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

6.5 PPG for Tyler Higbee versus 4.0 for Austin Hooper in 2025. The baseline favors Tyler Higbee, 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Austin Hooper vs Tyler Higbee

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 Tyler Higbee

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 Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Higbee has the edge at 6.5 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 Tyler Higbee average in 2025?▾

Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are Austin Hooper and Tyler Higbee's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Austin Hooper or Tyler Higbee a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tyler Higbee outscored Austin Hooper by 2.5 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.