Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cade Otton vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.5 PPG to Cade Otton's 6.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Tyler Higbee and Cade Otton are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TETampa Bay Buccaneers#29

Cade Otton

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

572

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

TELos Angeles Rams#25PPG LEADER

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Cade Otton

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

6.2 PPG6.5 PPG

15 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Cade Otton: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #29 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cade Otton is producing at 28% 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.

Cade Otton vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Cade Otton finished the 2025 season at 6.2 PPG over 15 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Tyler Higbee clocked in at 6.5 across 9 appearances for the Los Angeles Rams. A 0.3-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.

Cade Otton is the volume tight end in this matchup with 59 receptions for 572 yards, while Tyler Higbee profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 25 catches). In weeks where Tyler Higbee finds the end zone he out-scores Cade Otton, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Cade Otton is off Week 10 and Tyler Higbee Week 11. 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: Cade Otton (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 Cade Otton by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cade Otton played 15 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. That durability gap means Cade Otton 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.
•Cade Otton saw 81 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Cade Otton is 6 years younger than Tyler Higbee (27 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cade Otton vs Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cade Otton	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.2	6.5
Games Played	15	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	93	59
Receptions	59	25
Rec/Game	3.9	2.8
Receiving Yards	572	281
Rec Yds/Game	38.1	31.2
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	81	36
Target Share/Game	5.4	4.0
Age	27	33
Experience	3 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

6.5 PPG for Tyler Higbee versus 6.2 for Cade Otton 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cade Otton or Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Higbee has the edge at 6.5 PPG compared to Cade Otton's 6.2 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 Cade Otton and Tyler Higbee average in 2025?▾

Cade Otton averaged 6.2 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 0.3 points per game.

When are Cade Otton and Tyler Higbee's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cade Otton (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Tyler Higbee (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cade Otton or Tyler Higbee a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tyler Higbee outscored Cade Otton by 0.3 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.