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Colby Parkinson vs Oronde Gadsden IIWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.7 PPG to Oronde Gadsden II's 7.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Colby Parkinson and Oronde Gadsden II are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-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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TELos Angeles Rams#21PPG LEADER
Colby Parkinson
PPG
7.7
Games
14
Rec
43
Rec Yds
408
Rec TDs
8
Targets
56
Bye
Week 11
TELos Angeles Chargers#23
Oronde Gadsden II
PPG
7.1
Games
15
Rec
49
Rec Yds
664
Rec TDs
3
Targets
69
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Colby Parkinson
Oronde Gadsden II

Head to Head

7.7 PPG7.1 PPG
14 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Colby Parkinson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #21 at the position). Oronde Gadsden II: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Colby Parkinson is producing at 35% of elite pace and Oronde Gadsden II at 32%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Colby Parkinson vs Oronde Gadsden II: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Colby Parkinson and Oronde Gadsden II is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.6 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 PPG with the Los Angeles Rams across 14 games, and Oronde Gadsden II posted 7.1 with the Los Angeles Chargers in 15.

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. Colby Parkinson had 43 catches for 408 yards; Oronde Gadsden II posted 49 for 664. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Colby Parkinson has his bye in Week 11, and Oronde Gadsden II rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. Oronde Gadsden II (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Colby Parkinson outscored Oronde Gadsden II by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Oronde Gadsden II played 15 games in 2025 compared to Colby Parkinson's 14. That durability gap means Oronde Gadsden II 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.
  • Oronde Gadsden II saw 69 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
  • Oronde Gadsden II is 5 years younger than Colby Parkinson (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Colby Parkinson vs Oronde Gadsden II: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatColby ParkinsonOronde Gadsden II
PPG (Half-PPR)7.77.1
Games Played1415
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)108107
Receptions4349
Rec/Game3.13.3
Receiving Yards408664
Rec Yds/Game29.144.3
Receiving TDs83
Targets5669
Target Share/Game4.04.6
Age2722
Experience5 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Colby Parkinson at 7.7 PPG, 0.6 points per game above Oronde Gadsden II's 7.1. 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 Colby Parkinson or Oronde Gadsden II in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Colby Parkinson has the edge at 7.7 PPG compared to Oronde Gadsden II's 7.1 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 Oronde Gadsden II average in 2025?

Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Colby Parkinson and Oronde Gadsden II's bye weeks in 2026?

Colby Parkinson (LAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Oronde Gadsden II (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Colby Parkinson or Oronde Gadsden II a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Colby Parkinson outscored Oronde Gadsden II 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.

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