Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darnell Washington vs T.J. HockensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

T.J. Hockenson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.8 PPG to Darnell Washington's 4.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

T.J. Hockenson is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. T.J. Hockenson edges Darnell Washington by 1.3 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, T.J. Hockenson 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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TEPittsburgh Steelers#38

Darnell Washington

PPG

4.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

364

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEMinnesota Vikings#30PPG LEADER

T.J. Hockenson

PPG

5.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

438

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Darnell Washington

T.J. Hockenson

Head to Head

4.5 PPG5.8 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Washington: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #38 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, Darnell Washington is producing at 20% of elite pace and T.J. Hockenson at 26%. That ranking gap means T.J. Hockenson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darnell Washington vs T.J. Hockenson: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Darnell Washington finished the 2025 season at 4.5 PPG over 13 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while T.J. Hockenson clocked in at 5.8 across 15 appearances for the Minnesota Vikings. A 1.3-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

T.J. Hockenson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 51 receptions for 438 yards, while Darnell Washington profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 31 catches). In weeks where Darnell Washington finds the end zone he out-scores T.J. Hockenson, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Darnell Washington is off Week 9 and T.J. Hockenson Week 6. 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

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

Did You Know?

•T.J. Hockenson outscored Darnell Washington by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•T.J. Hockenson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Darnell Washington's 13. That durability gap means T.J. Hockenson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•T.J. Hockenson scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•T.J. Hockenson saw 66 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Darnell Washington is 4 years younger than T.J. Hockenson (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darnell Washington vs T.J. Hockenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darnell Washington	T.J. Hockenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.5	5.8
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	87
Receptions	31	51
Rec/Game	2.4	3.4
Receiving Yards	364	438
Rec Yds/Game	28.0	29.2
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	43	66
Target Share/Game	3.3	4.4
Age	24	28
Experience	2 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 6

Summary

T.J. Hockenson outscored Darnell Washington by 1.3 PPG in 2025 (5.8 to 4.5). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Darnell Washington or T.J. Hockenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, T.J. Hockenson has the edge at 5.8 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 T.J. Hockenson average in 2025?▾

Darnell Washington averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.3 points per game.

When are Darnell Washington and T.J. Hockenson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darnell Washington (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and T.J. Hockenson (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Washington or T.J. Hockenson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

T.J. Hockenson outscored Darnell Washington by 1.3 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.