Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darnell Washington vs Jake TongesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jake Tonges is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.5 PPG to Darnell Washington's 4.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jake Tonges is the better fantasy play this season.

Jake Tonges is the better play on a neutral week. 8.5 PPG with 293 yards gives a reliable baseline. Darnell Washington at 4.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jake Tonges higher, but do not fade Darnell Washington entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Darnell Washington and Jake Tonges in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TEPittsburgh Steelers#38

Darnell Washington

PPG

4.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

364

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TESan Francisco 49ers#15PPG LEADER

Jake Tonges

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

293

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Darnell Washington

Jake Tonges

Head to Head

4.5 PPG8.5 PPG

13 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 at the position). Jake Tonges: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and Jake Tonges at 39%. That ranking gap means Jake Tonges carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darnell Washington vs Jake Tonges: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Darnell Washington and Jake Tonges is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Pittsburgh Steelers tight end put up 4.5 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Jake Tonges of the San Francisco 49ers averaged 8.5 in 9. A 4.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.0 points favors Jake Tonges, 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. Darnell Washington had 31 catches for 364 yards; Jake Tonges posted 34 for 293. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

One scheduling note: Darnell Washington is off Week 9 and Jake Tonges Week 8. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jake Tonges is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Darnell Washington is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Darnell Washington (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Jake Tonges (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jake Tonges outscored Darnell Washington by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Darnell Washington played 13 games in 2025 compared to Jake Tonges's 9. That durability gap means Darnell Washington contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jake Tonges scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jake Tonges saw 46 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 Jake Tonges: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darnell Washington	Jake Tonges
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.5	8.5
Games Played	13	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	77
Receptions	31	34
Rec/Game	2.4	3.8
Receiving Yards	364	293
Rec Yds/Game	28.0	32.6
Receiving TDs	1	5
Targets	43	46
Target Share/Game	3.3	5.1
Age	24	26
Experience	2 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 8

Summary

8.5 PPG for Jake Tonges versus 4.5 for Darnell Washington in 2025. The baseline favors Jake Tonges, 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Darnell Washington vs Jake Tonges

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Darnell Washington vs Jake Tonges

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Darnell Washington or Jake Tonges in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Tonges has the edge at 8.5 PPG compared to Darnell Washington's 4.5 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 Jake Tonges average in 2025?▾

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 4.0 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and Jake Tonges's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darnell Washington (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Jake Tonges (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Washington or Jake Tonges a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jake Tonges outscored Darnell Washington by 4.0 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.