DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Gunnar Helm vs Hayden HurstWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Gunnar Helm is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.4 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Gunnar Helm is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Gunnar Helm edges Hayden Hurst by 0.7 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, Gunnar Helm 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Gunnar Helm and Hayden Hurst in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
TETennessee Titans#40PPG LEADER
Gunnar Helm
PPG
4.4
Games
16
Rec
44
Rec Yds
357
Rec TDs
2
Targets
55
Bye
Week 9
TELos Angeles Chargers#99
Hayden Hurst
PPG
3.7
Games
14
Rec
25
Rec Yds
238
Rec TDs
1
Targets
35
Bye
Week 5

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Gunnar Helm
Hayden Hurst

Head to Head

4.4 PPG3.7 PPG
16 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Gunnar Helm is producing at 20% of elite pace and Hayden Hurst at 17%. That ranking gap means Gunnar Helm carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gunnar Helm vs Hayden Hurst: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Gunnar Helm and Hayden Hurst is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.7 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 PPG with the Tennessee Titans across 16 games, and Hayden Hurst posted 3.7 with the Los Angeles Chargers in 14.

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.

Gunnar Helm is the volume tight end in this matchup with 44 receptions for 357 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 Gunnar Helm, but the floor gap is real.

Gunnar Helm has his bye in Week 9, and Hayden Hurst rests in Week 5. 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: Gunnar Helm (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Hayden Hurst (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Gunnar Helm outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to Hayden Hurst's 14. That durability gap means Gunnar Helm contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Gunnar Helm scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Gunnar Helm saw 55 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gunnar Helm vs Hayden Hurst: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatGunnar HelmHayden Hurst
PPG (Half-PPR)4.43.7
Games Played1614
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)7052
Receptions4425
Rec/Game2.81.8
Receiving Yards357238
Rec Yds/Game22.317.0
Receiving TDs21
Targets5535
Target Share/Game3.42.5
Age23-
Bye WeekWeek 9Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Gunnar Helm holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 4.4 points per game. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Gunnar Helm vs Hayden Hurst

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Gunnar Helm vs Hayden Hurst

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Gunnar Helm or Hayden Hurst in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Gunnar Helm has the edge at 4.4 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 Gunnar Helm and Hayden Hurst average in 2025?

Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Gunnar Helm and Hayden Hurst's bye weeks in 2026?

Gunnar Helm (TEN) has a bye in Week 9, and Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gunnar Helm or Hayden Hurst a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Gunnar Helm outscored Hayden Hurst by 0.7 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.

Fantasy Managers Also Compared

Similar matchups other managers are researching right now.