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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Gunnar Helm vs Mason TaylorWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Mason Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.1 PPG to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Mason Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Mason Taylor edges Gunnar Helm 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, Mason Taylor 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.

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TETennessee Titans#40
Gunnar Helm
PPG
4.4
Games
16
Rec
44
Rec Yds
357
Rec TDs
2
Targets
55
Bye
Week 9
TENew York Jets#34PPG LEADER
Mason Taylor
PPG
5.1
Games
13
Rec
44
Rec Yds
369
Rec TDs
1
Targets
65
Bye
Week 13

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Gunnar Helm
Mason Taylor

Head to Head

4.4 PPG5.1 PPG
16 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Mason Taylor: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #34 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Gunnar Helm is producing at 20% of elite pace and Mason Taylor at 23%. That ranking gap means Mason Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gunnar Helm vs Mason Taylor: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Gunnar Helm finished the 2025 season at 4.4 PPG over 16 games with the Tennessee Titans, while Mason Taylor clocked in at 5.1 across 13 appearances for the New York Jets. A 0.7-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Gunnar Helm had 44 catches for 357 yards; Mason Taylor posted 44 for 369. 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 Mason Taylor Week 13. 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

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. Mason Taylor (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Mason Taylor outscored Gunnar Helm by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to Mason Taylor's 13. 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.
  • Mason Taylor saw 65 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 Mason Taylor: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatGunnar HelmMason Taylor
PPG (Half-PPR)4.45.1
Games Played1613
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)7066
Receptions4444
Rec/Game2.83.4
Receiving Yards357369
Rec Yds/Game22.328.4
Receiving TDs21
Targets5565
Target Share/Game3.45.0
Age2322
Bye WeekWeek 9Week 13

Summary

Mason Taylor outscored Gunnar Helm by 0.7 PPG in 2025 (5.1 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 Mason Taylor in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Mason Taylor has the edge at 5.1 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 Mason Taylor average in 2025?

Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Mason Taylor averaged 5.1 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Gunnar Helm and Mason Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?

Gunnar Helm (TEN) has a bye in Week 9, and Mason Taylor (NYJ) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gunnar Helm or Mason Taylor a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Mason Taylor outscored Gunnar Helm 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.

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