Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cade Stover vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Cade Stover's 3.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonnu Smith is the better play on a neutral week. 8.2 PPG with 562 yards gives a reliable baseline. Cade Stover at 3.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jonnu Smith higher, but do not fade Cade Stover entirely.

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

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TEHouston Texans#99

Cade Stover

PPG

3.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

215

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TEMiami Dolphins#99PPG LEADER

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Cade Stover

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

3.5 PPG8.2 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Cade Stover: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cade Stover is producing at 16% of elite pace and Jonnu Smith at 37%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Cade Stover vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Cade Stover and Jonnu Smith for your lineup, you are not alone. Cade Stover finished the 2025 season at 3.5 PPG for the Houston Texans (15 games), and Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 for the Miami Dolphins (15 games).

That 4.7-point weekly advantage for Jonnu Smith 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.

Jonnu Smith is the volume tight end in this matchup with 52 receptions for 562 yards, while Cade Stover profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 22 catches). In weeks where Cade Stover finds the end zone he out-scores Jonnu Smith, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Cade Stover sits Week 14 while Jonnu Smith is off Week 6. 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

Jonnu Smith is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Cade Stover is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Cade Stover (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jonnu Smith outscored Cade Stover by a projected 80 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonnu Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jonnu Smith saw 68 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cade Stover vs Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cade Stover	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.5	8.2
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	53	123
Receptions	22	52
Rec/Game	1.5	3.5
Receiving Yards	215	562
Rec Yds/Game	14.3	37.5
Receiving TDs	1	4
Targets	32	68
Target Share/Game	2.1	4.5
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonnu Smith at 8.2 PPG, 4.7 points per game above Cade Stover's 3.5. 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 Cade Stover or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonnu Smith has the edge at 8.2 PPG compared to Cade Stover's 3.5 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 Stover and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

Cade Stover averaged 3.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 4.7 points per game.

When are Cade Stover and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cade Stover (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cade Stover or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith outscored Cade Stover by 4.7 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.