Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darnell Washington vs Hayden HurstWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darnell Washington is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.5 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darnell Washington is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Darnell Washington and Hayden Hurst are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.8-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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TEPittsburgh Steelers#38PPG LEADER

Darnell Washington

PPG

4.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

364

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TELos Angeles Chargers#99

Hayden Hurst

PPG

3.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Darnell Washington

Hayden Hurst

Head to Head

4.5 PPG3.7 PPG

13 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and Hayden Hurst at 17%. That ranking gap means Darnell Washington carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darnell Washington vs Hayden Hurst: The Full Breakdown

Darnell Washington (4.5 PPG) and Hayden Hurst (3.7 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. Darnell Washington played 13 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers; Hayden Hurst suited up 14 times for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 0.8-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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Darnell Washington had 31 catches for 364 yards; Hayden Hurst posted 25 for 238. 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: Darnell Washington sits Week 9 while Hayden Hurst is off Week 5. 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: Darnell Washington (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Hayden Hurst (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Darnell Washington outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Hayden Hurst played 14 games in 2025 compared to Darnell Washington's 13. That durability gap means Hayden Hurst contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Darnell Washington scored 1 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Darnell Washington saw 43 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darnell Washington vs Hayden Hurst: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darnell Washington	Hayden Hurst
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.5	3.7
Games Played	13	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	52
Receptions	31	25
Rec/Game	2.4	1.8
Receiving Yards	364	238
Rec Yds/Game	28.0	17.0
Receiving TDs	1	1
Targets	43	35
Target Share/Game	3.3	2.5
Age	24	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 5

Summary

4.5 PPG for Darnell Washington versus 3.7 for Hayden Hurst in 2025. The baseline favors Darnell Washington, 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 Darnell Washington or Hayden Hurst in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Darnell Washington has the edge at 4.5 PPG compared to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 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 Darnell Washington and Hayden Hurst average in 2025?▾

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and Hayden Hurst's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darnell Washington (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Washington or Hayden Hurst a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Darnell Washington outscored Hayden Hurst by 0.8 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.