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Colston Loveland vs T.J. HockensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Colston Loveland is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.5 PPG to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Colston Loveland is the better fantasy play this season.

Colston Loveland is the better play on a neutral week. 8.5 PPG with 711 yards gives a reliable baseline. T.J. Hockenson at 5.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Colston Loveland higher, but do not fade T.J. Hockenson entirely.

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

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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
TEMinnesota Vikings#30
T.J. Hockenson
PPG
5.8
Games
15
Rec
51
Rec Yds
438
Rec TDs
3
Targets
66
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Colston Loveland
T.J. Hockenson

Head to Head

8.5 PPG5.8 PPG
16 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Colston Loveland: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #16 at the position). T.J. Hockenson: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #30 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Colston Loveland is producing at 39% of elite pace and T.J. Hockenson at 26%. That ranking gap means Colston Loveland carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Colston Loveland vs T.J. Hockenson: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Colston Loveland and T.J. Hockenson is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Chicago Bears tight end put up 8.5 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; T.J. Hockenson of the Minnesota Vikings averaged 5.8 in 15. A 2.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.7 points favors Colston Loveland, 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. Colston Loveland had 58 catches for 713 yards; T.J. Hockenson posted 51 for 438. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Colston Loveland sits Week 10 while T.J. Hockenson is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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. T.J. Hockenson (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Colston Loveland outscored T.J. Hockenson by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Colston Loveland played 16 games in 2025 compared to T.J. Hockenson'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.
  • Colston Loveland is 6 years younger than T.J. Hockenson (22 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Colston Loveland vs T.J. Hockenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatColston LovelandT.J. Hockenson
PPG (Half-PPR)8.55.8
Games Played1615
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)13687
Receptions5851
Rec/Game3.63.4
Receiving Yards713438
Rec Yds/Game44.629.2
Receiving TDs63
Targets8266
Target Share/Game5.14.4
Age2228
Experience-6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 6

Summary

8.5 PPG for Colston Loveland versus 5.8 for T.J. Hockenson in 2025. The baseline favors Colston Loveland, 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 Colston Loveland or T.J. Hockenson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Colston Loveland has the edge at 8.5 PPG compared to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8 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 T.J. Hockenson average in 2025?

Colston Loveland averaged 8.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

When are Colston Loveland and T.J. Hockenson's bye weeks in 2026?

Colston Loveland (CHI) has a bye in Week 10, and T.J. Hockenson (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Colston Loveland or T.J. Hockenson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Colston Loveland outscored T.J. Hockenson by 2.7 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.