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Head to Head

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Colston Loveland vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Colston Loveland is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.5 PPG to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Colston Loveland is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Colston Loveland edges Jonnu Smith by 0.3 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, Colston Loveland 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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TEChicago Bears#16PPG LEADER
Colston Loveland
PPG
8.5
Games
16
Rec
58
Rec Yds
713
Rec TDs
6
Targets
82
Bye
Week 10
TEMiami Dolphins#99
Jonnu Smith
PPG
8.2
Games
15
Rec
52
Rec Yds
562
Rec TDs
4
Targets
68
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Colston Loveland
Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

8.5 PPG8.2 PPG
16 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Colston Loveland: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #16 at the position). Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Colston Loveland is producing at 39% of elite pace and Jonnu Smith at 37%. That ranking gap means Colston Loveland carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Colston Loveland vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Colston Loveland and Jonnu Smith is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.3 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Colston Loveland averaged 8.5 PPG with the Chicago Bears across 16 games, and Jonnu Smith posted 8.2 with the Miami Dolphins 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. Colston Loveland had 58 catches for 713 yards; Jonnu Smith posted 52 for 562. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Colston Loveland has his bye in Week 10, and Jonnu Smith rests in Week 6. 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: Colston Loveland (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Colston Loveland outscored Jonnu Smith by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Colston Loveland played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jonnu Smith's 15. That durability gap means Colston Loveland contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Colston Loveland scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Colston Loveland saw 82 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Colston Loveland vs Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatColston LovelandJonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)8.58.2
Games Played1615
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)136123
Receptions5852
Rec/Game3.63.5
Receiving Yards713562
Rec Yds/Game44.637.5
Receiving TDs64
Targets8268
Target Share/Game5.14.5
Age22-
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Colston Loveland holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.5 points per game. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 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 Colston Loveland or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Colston Loveland has the edge at 8.5 PPG compared to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 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 Colston Loveland and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?

Colston Loveland averaged 8.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Colston Loveland and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?

Colston Loveland (CHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Colston Loveland or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Colston Loveland outscored Jonnu Smith by 0.3 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.