Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gunnar Helm vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonnu Smith has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.8-PPG advantage is real (8.2 to 4.4), and Jonnu Smith's 4 touchdowns show scoring upside. Gunnar Helm is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

TEMiami Dolphins#99PPG LEADER

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Gunnar Helm

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

4.4 PPG8.2 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Jonnu Smith: 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 Jonnu Smith at 37%. That ranking gap means Gunnar Helm carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gunnar Helm vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

Gunnar Helm and Jonnu Smith are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 PPG across 16 games with the Tennessee Titans, while Jonnu Smith posted 8.2 PPG in 15 appearances for the Miami Dolphins.

A 3.8-PPG gap gives Jonnu Smith 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. Gunnar Helm had 44 catches for 357 yards; Jonnu Smith posted 52 for 562. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

One scheduling note: Gunnar Helm is off Week 9 and Jonnu Smith Week 6. 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

If you can acquire Jonnu Smith at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. Gunnar Helm is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Gunnar Helm (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jonnu Smith outscored Gunnar Helm by a projected 65 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jonnu Smith's 15. That durability gap means Gunnar Helm contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonnu Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jonnu Smith saw 68 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 Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gunnar Helm	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.4	8.2
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	123
Receptions	44	52
Rec/Game	2.8	3.5
Receiving Yards	357	562
Rec Yds/Game	22.3	37.5
Receiving TDs	2	4
Targets	55	68
Target Share/Game	3.4	4.5
Age	23	-
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 6

Summary

Jonnu Smith outscored Gunnar Helm by 3.8 PPG in 2025 (8.2 to 4.4). 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 Gunnar Helm or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonnu Smith has the edge at 8.2 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 Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.8 points per game.

When are Gunnar Helm and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gunnar Helm (TEN) has a bye in Week 9, and Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gunnar Helm or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith outscored Gunnar Helm by 3.8 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.