Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dalton Schultz vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Dalton Schultz's 8.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jonnu Smith edges Dalton Schultz by 0.2 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, Jonnu Smith 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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TEHouston Texans#18

Dalton Schultz

PPG

8.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

777

Rec TDs

Targets

106

Bye

Week 8

TEMiami Dolphins#99PPG LEADER

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Dalton Schultz

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

8.0 PPG8.2 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Dalton Schultz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #18 at the position). Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dalton Schultz is producing at 36% of elite pace and Jonnu Smith at 37%. That ranking gap means Dalton Schultz carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dalton Schultz vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

Dalton Schultz (8.0 PPG) and Jonnu Smith (8.2 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Dalton Schultz played 17 games for the Houston Texans; Jonnu Smith suited up 15 times for the Miami Dolphins.

A 0.2-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Dalton Schultz is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 777 yards, while Jonnu Smith profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (4 scores on 52 catches). In weeks where Jonnu Smith finds the end zone he out-scores Dalton Schultz, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Dalton Schultz sits Week 8 while Jonnu Smith 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: Dalton Schultz (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jonnu Smith outscored Dalton Schultz by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dalton Schultz played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jonnu Smith's 15. That durability gap means Dalton Schultz contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonnu Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Dalton Schultz saw 106 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dalton Schultz vs Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dalton Schultz	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.0	8.2
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	136	123
Receptions	82	52
Rec/Game	4.8	3.5
Receiving Yards	777	562
Rec Yds/Game	45.7	37.5
Receiving TDs	3	4
Targets	106	68
Target Share/Game	6.2	4.5
Age	29	-
Experience	7 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jonnu Smith holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.2 points per game. Dalton Schultz averaged 8.0 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 Dalton Schultz or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonnu Smith has the edge at 8.2 PPG compared to Dalton Schultz's 8.0 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 Dalton Schultz and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

Dalton Schultz averaged 8.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Dalton Schultz and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dalton Schultz (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dalton Schultz or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith outscored Dalton Schultz by 0.2 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.