Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Colby Parkinson vs Juwan JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Juwan Johnson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.3 PPG to Colby Parkinson's 7.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Juwan Johnson is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Juwan Johnson edges Colby Parkinson by 0.6 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, Juwan Johnson 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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TELos Angeles Rams#21

Colby Parkinson

PPG

7.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

408

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TENew Orleans Saints#17PPG LEADER

Juwan Johnson

PPG

8.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

889

Rec TDs

Targets

102

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Colby Parkinson

Juwan Johnson

Head to Head

7.7 PPG8.3 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Colby Parkinson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #21 at the position). Juwan Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #17 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Colby Parkinson is producing at 35% of elite pace and Juwan Johnson at 38%. That ranking gap means Juwan Johnson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Colby Parkinson vs Juwan Johnson: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Colby Parkinson finished the 2025 season at 7.7 PPG over 14 games with the Los Angeles Rams, while Juwan Johnson clocked in at 8.3 across 17 appearances for the New Orleans Saints. A 0.6-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.

Juwan Johnson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 77 receptions for 889 yards, while Colby Parkinson profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (8 scores on 43 catches). In weeks where Colby Parkinson finds the end zone he out-scores Juwan Johnson, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Colby Parkinson is off Week 11 and Juwan Johnson Week 8. 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: Colby Parkinson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Juwan Johnson (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Juwan Johnson outscored Colby Parkinson by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Juwan Johnson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Colby Parkinson's 14. That durability gap means Juwan Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Colby Parkinson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Juwan Johnson saw 102 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Colby Parkinson vs Juwan Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Colby Parkinson	Juwan Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.7	8.3
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	108	141
Receptions	43	77
Rec/Game	3.1	4.5
Receiving Yards	408	889
Rec Yds/Game	29.1	52.3
Receiving TDs	8	3
Targets	56	102
Target Share/Game	4.0	6.0
Age	27	29
Experience	5 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Juwan Johnson holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.3 points per game. Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Colby Parkinson or Juwan Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Juwan Johnson has the edge at 8.3 PPG compared to Colby Parkinson's 7.7 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 Juwan Johnson average in 2025?▾

Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Juwan Johnson averaged 8.3 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Colby Parkinson and Juwan Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Colby Parkinson (LAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Juwan Johnson (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Colby Parkinson or Juwan Johnson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Juwan Johnson outscored Colby Parkinson by 0.6 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.