Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darren Waller vs Jake TongesWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darren Waller is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Jake Tonges's 8.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darren Waller is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Darren Waller edges Jake Tonges by 1.1 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, Darren Waller 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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TEMiami Dolphins#8PPG LEADER

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TESan Francisco 49ers#15

Jake Tonges

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

293

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Darren Waller

Jake Tonges

Head to Head

9.6 PPG8.5 PPG

8 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Jake Tonges: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darren Waller is producing at 44% of elite pace and Jake Tonges at 39%. That ranking gap means Darren Waller carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darren Waller vs Jake Tonges: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Darren Waller and Jake Tonges is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 PPG with the Miami Dolphins across 8 games, and Jake Tonges posted 8.5 with the San Francisco 49ers in 9.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

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

Darren Waller has his bye in Week 6, and Jake Tonges rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Jake Tonges (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Darren Waller outscored Jake Tonges by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jake Tonges played 9 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Jake Tonges 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.
•Jake Tonges saw 46 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Jake Tonges is 7 years younger than Darren Waller (26 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darren Waller vs Jake Tonges: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darren Waller	Jake Tonges
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	8.5
Games Played	8	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	77
Receptions	24	34
Rec/Game	3.0	3.8
Receiving Yards	283	293
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	32.6
Receiving TDs	6	5
Targets	34	46
Target Share/Game	4.3	5.1
Age	33	26
Experience	10 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

Darren Waller outscored Jake Tonges by 1.1 PPG in 2025 (9.6 to 8.5). 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 Darren Waller or Jake Tonges in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Darren Waller has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Jake Tonges's 8.5 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 Darren Waller and Jake Tonges average in 2025?▾

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Darren Waller and Jake Tonges's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Jake Tonges (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darren Waller or Jake Tonges a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Darren Waller outscored Jake Tonges by 1.1 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.