Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

George Kittle vs Hayden HurstWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

George Kittle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

George Kittle is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. George Kittle outscored Hayden Hurst by 8.4 PPG in 2025 with 7 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, George Kittle is the clear pick. Hayden Hurst profiles as a matchup-dependent tight end who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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TESan Francisco 49ers#3PPG LEADER

George Kittle

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

628

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

TELos Angeles Chargers#99

Hayden Hurst

PPG

3.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

George Kittle

Hayden Hurst

Head to Head

12.1 PPG3.7 PPG

11 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

George Kittle: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #3 at the position). Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, George Kittle is producing at 55% of elite pace and Hayden Hurst at 17%. That ranking gap means George Kittle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

George Kittle vs Hayden Hurst: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two tight ends. George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) averaged 12.1 PPG over 11 games in 2025, outscoring Hayden Hurst (Los Angeles Chargers, 3.7 PPG) by 8.4 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 8.4-point weekly advantage for George Kittle is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

George Kittle is the volume tight end in this matchup with 57 receptions for 628 yards, while Hayden Hurst profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 25 catches). In weeks where Hayden Hurst finds the end zone he out-scores George Kittle, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: George Kittle is off Week 8 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

George Kittle is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Hayden Hurst is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: George Kittle (age 32) 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?

•George Kittle outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 143 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Hayden Hurst played 14 games in 2025 compared to George Kittle's 11. That durability gap means Hayden Hurst contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•George Kittle scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•George Kittle saw 69 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

George Kittle vs Hayden Hurst: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	George Kittle	Hayden Hurst
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	3.7
Games Played	11	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	133	52
Receptions	57	25
Rec/Game	5.2	1.8
Receiving Yards	628	238
Rec Yds/Game	57.1	17.0
Receiving TDs	7	1
Targets	69	35
Target Share/Game	6.3	2.5
Age	32	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor George Kittle at 12.1 PPG, 8.4 points per game above Hayden Hurst's 3.7. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start George Kittle or Hayden Hurst in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, George Kittle has the edge at 12.1 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 George Kittle and Hayden Hurst average in 2025?▾

George Kittle averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 8.4 points per game.

When are George Kittle and Hayden Hurst's bye weeks in 2026?▾

George Kittle (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is George Kittle or Hayden Hurst a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

George Kittle outscored Hayden Hurst by 8.4 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.