Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

George Kittle vs T.J. HockensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

George Kittle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

George Kittle is the better fantasy play this season.

George Kittle is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 12.1 PPG and 625 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. T.J. Hockenson (5.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster George Kittle as the starter and T.J. Hockenson as depth.

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

TEMinnesota Vikings#30

T.J. Hockenson

PPG

5.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

438

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

George Kittle

T.J. Hockenson

Head to Head

12.1 PPG5.8 PPG

11 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

George Kittle: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #3 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, George Kittle is producing at 55% of elite pace and T.J. Hockenson at 26%. That ranking gap means George Kittle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

George Kittle vs T.J. Hockenson: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. George Kittle put up 12.1 fantasy points per game for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, while T.J. Hockenson managed 5.8 across 15 games with the Minnesota Vikings. A 6.3-point weekly edge is substantial at the tight end position.

A 6.3-PPG gap gives George Kittle 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. George Kittle had 57 catches for 628 yards; T.J. Hockenson posted 51 for 438. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: George Kittle sits Week 8 while T.J. Hockenson is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire George Kittle at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. T.J. Hockenson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: George Kittle (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. T.J. Hockenson (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•George Kittle outscored T.J. Hockenson by a projected 107 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•T.J. Hockenson played 15 games in 2025 compared to George Kittle's 11. That durability gap means T.J. Hockenson 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.
•T.J. Hockenson is 4 years younger than George Kittle (28 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

George Kittle vs T.J. Hockenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	George Kittle	T.J. Hockenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	5.8
Games Played	11	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	133	87
Receptions	57	51
Rec/Game	5.2	3.4
Receiving Yards	628	438
Rec Yds/Game	57.1	29.2
Receiving TDs	7	3
Targets	69	66
Target Share/Game	6.3	4.4
Age	32	28
Experience	8 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 6

Summary

George Kittle outscored T.J. Hockenson by 6.3 PPG in 2025 (12.1 to 5.8). 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 George Kittle or T.J. Hockenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, George Kittle has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8 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 T.J. Hockenson average in 2025?▾

George Kittle averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 6.3 points per game.

When are George Kittle and T.J. Hockenson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

George Kittle (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and T.J. Hockenson (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is George Kittle or T.J. Hockenson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

George Kittle outscored T.J. Hockenson by 6.3 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.