Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cade Stover vs Mike GesickiWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Mike Gesicki is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.7 PPG to Cade Stover's 3.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Mike Gesicki is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Mike Gesicki and Cade Stover are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.2-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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TEHouston Texans#99

Cade Stover

PPG

3.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

215

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TECincinnati Bengals#36PPG LEADER

Mike Gesicki

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Cade Stover

Mike Gesicki

Head to Head

3.5 PPG4.7 PPG

15 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Cade Stover: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Mike Gesicki: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #36 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cade Stover is producing at 16% of elite pace and Mike Gesicki at 21%. That ranking gap means Mike Gesicki carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cade Stover vs Mike Gesicki: The Full Breakdown

Cade Stover (3.5 PPG) and Mike Gesicki (4.7 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Cade Stover played 15 games for the Houston Texans; Mike Gesicki suited up 12 times for the Cincinnati Bengals.

A 1.2-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Cade Stover had 22 catches for 215 yards; Mike Gesicki posted 28 for 307. 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: Cade Stover sits Week 14 while Mike Gesicki 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

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 Stover (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Mike Gesicki (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Mike Gesicki outscored Cade Stover by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cade Stover played 15 games in 2025 compared to Mike Gesicki's 12. That durability gap means Cade Stover contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Mike Gesicki scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Mike Gesicki saw 42 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 Mike Gesicki: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cade Stover	Mike Gesicki
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.5	4.7
Games Played	15	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	53	56
Receptions	22	28
Rec/Game	1.5	2.3
Receiving Yards	215	307
Rec Yds/Game	14.3	25.6
Receiving TDs	1	2
Targets	32	42
Target Share/Game	2.1	3.5
Age	-	30
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Mike Gesicki at 4.7 PPG, 1.2 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 Mike Gesicki in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Mike Gesicki has the edge at 4.7 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 Mike Gesicki average in 2025?▾

Cade Stover averaged 3.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Mike Gesicki averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Cade Stover and Mike Gesicki's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Cade Stover or Mike Gesicki a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Mike Gesicki outscored Cade Stover by 1.2 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.