Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gunnar Helm vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.5 PPG to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy play this season.

Tyler Higbee is the better play on a neutral week. 6.5 PPG with 281 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 Tyler Higbee higher, but do not fade Gunnar Helm entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Gunnar Helm and Tyler Higbee in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TETennessee Titans#40

Gunnar Helm

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

357

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TELos Angeles Rams#25PPG LEADER

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Gunnar Helm

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

4.4 PPG6.5 PPG

16 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Gunnar Helm is producing at 20% of elite pace and Tyler Higbee at 30%. That ranking gap means Tyler Higbee carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gunnar Helm vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Gunnar Helm and Tyler Higbee for your lineup, you are not alone. Gunnar Helm finished the 2025 season at 4.4 PPG for the Tennessee Titans (16 games), and Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 for the Los Angeles Rams (9 games).

That 2.1-point weekly advantage for Tyler Higbee 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.

Gunnar Helm is the volume tight end in this matchup with 44 receptions for 357 yards, while Tyler Higbee profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 25 catches). In weeks where Tyler Higbee finds the end zone he out-scores Gunnar Helm, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Gunnar Helm sits Week 9 while Tyler Higbee is off Week 11. 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. Tyler Higbee (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Higbee outscored Gunnar Helm by a projected 36 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. That durability gap means Gunnar Helm contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tyler Higbee scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 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.
•Gunnar Helm is 10 years younger than Tyler Higbee (23 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gunnar Helm vs Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gunnar Helm	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.4	6.5
Games Played	16	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	59
Receptions	44	25
Rec/Game	2.8	2.8
Receiving Yards	357	281
Rec Yds/Game	22.3	31.2
Receiving TDs	2	3
Targets	55	36
Target Share/Game	3.4	4.0
Age	23	33
Experience	-	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Tyler Higbee at 6.5 PPG, 2.1 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Gunnar Helm vs Tyler Higbee

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 Tyler Higbee

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 Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Higbee has the edge at 6.5 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 Tyler Higbee average in 2025?▾

Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.1 points per game.

When are Gunnar Helm and Tyler Higbee's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gunnar Helm (TEN) has a bye in Week 9, and Tyler Higbee (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gunnar Helm or Tyler Higbee a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tyler Higbee outscored Gunnar Helm by 2.1 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.