Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Chig Okonkwo vs Gunnar HelmWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Chig Okonkwo is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.6 PPG to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Chig Okonkwo is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Chig Okonkwo edges Gunnar Helm by 1.2 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Chig Okonkwo goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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TETennessee Titans#31PPG LEADER

Chig Okonkwo

PPG

5.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

560

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TETennessee Titans#40

Gunnar Helm

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

357

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Chig Okonkwo

Gunnar Helm

Head to Head

5.6 PPG4.4 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Chig Okonkwo: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #31 at the position). Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Chig Okonkwo is producing at 25% of elite pace and Gunnar Helm at 20%. That ranking gap means Chig Okonkwo carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Chig Okonkwo vs Gunnar Helm: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Chig Okonkwo averaged 5.6 PPG with the Tennessee Titans across 17 games, and Gunnar Helm posted 4.4 with the Tennessee Titans in 16.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Chig Okonkwo had 56 catches for 560 yards; Gunnar Helm posted 44 for 357. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 9 bye. That means you need a backup plan at tight end for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Chig Okonkwo (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Gunnar Helm (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Chig Okonkwo outscored Gunnar Helm by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Chig Okonkwo played 17 games in 2025 compared to Gunnar Helm's 16. That durability gap means Chig Okonkwo contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Chig Okonkwo scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Chig Okonkwo saw 79 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Both players share a Week 9 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chig Okonkwo vs Gunnar Helm: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Chig Okonkwo	Gunnar Helm
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.6	4.4
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	95	70
Receptions	56	44
Rec/Game	3.3	2.8
Receiving Yards	560	357
Rec Yds/Game	32.9	22.3
Receiving TDs	2	2
Targets	79	55
Target Share/Game	4.6	3.4
Age	26	23
Experience	3 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 9

Summary

Chig Okonkwo outscored Gunnar Helm by 1.2 PPG in 2025 (5.6 to 4.4). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Chig Okonkwo or Gunnar Helm in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Chig Okonkwo has the edge at 5.6 PPG compared to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 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 Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm average in 2025?▾

Chig Okonkwo averaged 5.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

Do Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm share a Week 9 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Chig Okonkwo or Gunnar Helm a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Chig Okonkwo outscored Gunnar Helm 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.