Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gunnar Helm vs T.J. HockensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

T.J. Hockenson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.8 PPG to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

T.J. Hockenson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, T.J. Hockenson and Gunnar Helm are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.4-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

Rec

Rec Yds

357

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEMinnesota Vikings#30PPG LEADER

T.J. Hockenson

PPG

5.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

438

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Gunnar Helm

T.J. Hockenson

Head to Head

4.4 PPG5.8 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 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, Gunnar Helm is producing at 20% of elite pace and T.J. Hockenson at 26%. That ranking gap means T.J. Hockenson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gunnar Helm vs T.J. Hockenson: The Full Breakdown

Gunnar Helm (4.4 PPG) and T.J. Hockenson (5.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Gunnar Helm played 16 games for the Tennessee Titans; T.J. Hockenson suited up 15 times for the Minnesota Vikings.

A 1.4-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Gunnar Helm had 44 catches for 357 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: Gunnar Helm sits Week 9 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

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. T.J. Hockenson (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•T.J. Hockenson outscored Gunnar Helm by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to T.J. Hockenson's 15. That durability gap means Gunnar Helm contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•T.J. Hockenson scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•T.J. Hockenson saw 66 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Gunnar Helm is 5 years younger than T.J. Hockenson (23 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gunnar Helm vs T.J. Hockenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gunnar Helm	T.J. Hockenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.4	5.8
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	87
Receptions	44	51
Rec/Game	2.8	3.4
Receiving Yards	357	438
Rec Yds/Game	22.3	29.2
Receiving TDs	2	3
Targets	55	66
Target Share/Game	3.4	4.4
Age	23	28
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor T.J. Hockenson at 5.8 PPG, 1.4 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 T.J. Hockenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, T.J. Hockenson has the edge at 5.8 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 T.J. Hockenson average in 2025?▾

Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Gunnar Helm and T.J. Hockenson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gunnar Helm (TEN) has a bye in Week 9, and T.J. Hockenson (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gunnar Helm or T.J. Hockenson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

T.J. Hockenson outscored Gunnar Helm by 1.4 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.