Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Colby Parkinson vs Ja'Tavion SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.7 PPG to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 4.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy play this season.

Colby Parkinson is the better play on a neutral week. 7.7 PPG with 408 yards gives a reliable baseline. Ja'Tavion Sanders at 4.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Colby Parkinson higher, but do not fade Ja'Tavion Sanders entirely.

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

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TELos Angeles Rams#21PPG LEADER

Colby Parkinson

PPG

7.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

408

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TECarolina Panthers#99

Ja'Tavion Sanders

PPG

4.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

308

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Colby Parkinson

Ja'Tavion Sanders

Head to Head

7.7 PPG4.2 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Colby Parkinson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #21 at the position). Ja'Tavion Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Colby Parkinson is producing at 35% of elite pace and Ja'Tavion Sanders at 19%. That ranking gap means Colby Parkinson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Colby Parkinson vs Ja'Tavion Sanders: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Colby Parkinson and Ja'Tavion Sanders is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Los Angeles Rams tight end put up 7.7 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; Ja'Tavion Sanders of the Carolina Panthers averaged 4.2 in 14. A 3.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.5 points favors Colby Parkinson, 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. Colby Parkinson had 43 catches for 408 yards; Ja'Tavion Sanders posted 32 for 308. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

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

Did You Know?

•Colby Parkinson outscored Ja'Tavion Sanders by a projected 60 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Colby Parkinson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Colby Parkinson saw 56 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Colby Parkinson vs Ja'Tavion Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Colby Parkinson	Ja'Tavion Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.7	4.2
Games Played	14	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	108	59
Receptions	43	32
Rec/Game	3.1	2.3
Receiving Yards	408	308
Rec Yds/Game	29.1	22.0
Receiving TDs	8	1
Targets	56	45
Target Share/Game	4.0	3.2
Age	27	-
Experience	5 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

7.7 PPG for Colby Parkinson versus 4.2 for Ja'Tavion Sanders in 2025. The baseline favors Colby Parkinson, 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 Colby Parkinson or Ja'Tavion Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Colby Parkinson has the edge at 7.7 PPG compared to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 4.2 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 Colby Parkinson and Ja'Tavion Sanders average in 2025?▾

Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Ja'Tavion Sanders averaged 4.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.5 points per game.

Do Colby Parkinson and Ja'Tavion Sanders share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Colby Parkinson and Ja'Tavion Sanders share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Colby Parkinson or Ja'Tavion Sanders a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Colby Parkinson outscored Ja'Tavion Sanders by 3.5 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.