Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gunnar Helm vs Jake FergusonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy play this season.

Jake Ferguson is the better play on a neutral week. 8.7 PPG with 601 yards gives a reliable baseline. Gunnar Helm at 4.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jake Ferguson higher, but do not fade Gunnar Helm entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TETennessee Titans#40

Gunnar Helm

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

357

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEDallas Cowboys#14PPG LEADER

Jake Ferguson

PPG

8.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

600

Rec TDs

Targets

102

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Gunnar Helm

Jake Ferguson

Head to Head

4.4 PPG8.7 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Jake Ferguson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #14 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Gunnar Helm is producing at 20% of elite pace and Jake Ferguson at 40%. That ranking gap means Jake Ferguson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gunnar Helm vs Jake Ferguson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Gunnar Helm and Jake Ferguson for your lineup, you are not alone. Gunnar Helm finished the 2025 season at 4.4 PPG for the Tennessee Titans (16 games), and Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 for the Dallas Cowboys (17 games).

That 4.3-point weekly advantage for Jake Ferguson 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.

Jake Ferguson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 600 yards, while Gunnar Helm profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (2 scores on 44 catches). In weeks where Gunnar Helm finds the end zone he out-scores Jake Ferguson, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Gunnar Helm is off Week 9 and Jake Ferguson Week 14. 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

Jake Ferguson is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Gunnar Helm is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Gunnar Helm (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Jake Ferguson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jake Ferguson outscored Gunnar Helm by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jake Ferguson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Gunnar Helm's 16. That durability gap means Jake Ferguson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jake Ferguson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jake Ferguson saw 102 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Gunnar Helm is 4 years younger than Jake Ferguson (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gunnar Helm vs Jake Ferguson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gunnar Helm	Jake Ferguson
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.4	8.7
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	148
Receptions	44	82
Rec/Game	2.8	4.8
Receiving Yards	357	600
Rec Yds/Game	22.3	35.3
Receiving TDs	2	8
Targets	55	102
Target Share/Game	3.4	6.0
Age	23	27
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jake Ferguson at 8.7 PPG, 4.3 points per game above Gunnar Helm's 4.4. 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 Gunnar Helm or Jake Ferguson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Ferguson has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 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 Jake Ferguson average in 2025?▾

Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are Gunnar Helm and Jake Ferguson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gunnar Helm (TEN) has a bye in Week 9, and Jake Ferguson (DAL) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gunnar Helm or Jake Ferguson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jake Ferguson outscored Gunnar Helm by 4.3 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.