Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darren Waller vs Hayden HurstWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darren Waller is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darren Waller is the better fantasy play this season.

Darren Waller is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 9.6 PPG and 287 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Hayden Hurst (3.7 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Darren Waller as the starter and Hayden Hurst as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TEMiami Dolphins#8PPG LEADER

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TELos Angeles Chargers#99

Hayden Hurst

PPG

3.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Darren Waller

Hayden Hurst

Head to Head

9.6 PPG3.7 PPG

8 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darren Waller is producing at 44% of elite pace and Hayden Hurst at 17%. That ranking gap means Darren Waller carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darren Waller vs Hayden Hurst: The Full Breakdown

Darren Waller and Hayden Hurst are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 PPG across 8 games with the Miami Dolphins, while Hayden Hurst posted 3.7 PPG in 14 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 5.9-PPG gap gives Darren Waller the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Darren Waller had 24 catches for 283 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.

One scheduling note: Darren Waller is off Week 6 and Hayden Hurst Week 5. 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

If you can acquire Darren Waller at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. Hayden Hurst is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Hayden Hurst (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Darren Waller outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 100 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Hayden Hurst played 14 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Hayden Hurst contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Darren Waller scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Hayden Hurst saw 35 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darren Waller vs Hayden Hurst: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darren Waller	Hayden Hurst
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	3.7
Games Played	8	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	52
Receptions	24	25
Rec/Game	3.0	1.8
Receiving Yards	283	238
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	17.0
Receiving TDs	6	1
Targets	34	35
Target Share/Game	4.3	2.5
Age	33	-
Experience	10 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 5

Summary

Darren Waller outscored Hayden Hurst by 5.9 PPG in 2025 (9.6 to 3.7). 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 Darren Waller or Hayden Hurst in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Darren Waller has the edge at 9.6 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 Darren Waller and Hayden Hurst average in 2025?▾

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.9 points per game.

When are Darren Waller and Hayden Hurst's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darren Waller or Hayden Hurst a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Darren Waller outscored Hayden Hurst by 5.9 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.