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Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Hayden Hurst or Jonnu SmithWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Jonnu Smith over Hayden Hurst in 2026.

Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG in 2025 to Hayden Hurst's 3.7, a 4.5 point per game edge. Both play tight ends, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

Jonnu Smith has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.5-PPG advantage is real (8.2 to 3.7), and Jonnu Smith's 4 touchdowns show scoring upside. Hayden Hurst 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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TELos Angeles Chargers

Hayden Hurst

PPG

3.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

TEMiami DolphinsPPG LEADER

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Hayden Hurst

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

3.7 PPG8.2 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Hayden Hurst: Unranked TE. Jonnu Smith: Unranked TE. Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Hayden Hurst is producing at 17% of elite pace and Jonnu Smith at 37%. That per-game gap means Jonnu Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Hayden Hurst vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

Hayden Hurst and Jonnu Smith are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG across 14 games with the Los Angeles Chargers, while Jonnu Smith posted 8.2 PPG in 15 appearances for the Miami Dolphins.

A 4.5-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.

Jonnu Smith is the volume tight end in this matchup with 52 receptions for 562 yards, while Hayden Hurst profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 25 catches). In weeks where Hayden Hurst finds the end zone he out-scores Jonnu Smith, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Hayden Hurst sits Week 5 while Jonnu Smith 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

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

Did You Know?

•Jonnu Smith outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 76 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonnu Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to Hayden Hurst's 14. That durability gap means Jonnu Smith 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

Hayden Hurst vs Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Hayden Hurst	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.7	8.2
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	52	123
Receptions	25	52
Rec/Game	1.8	3.5
Receiving Yards	238	562
Rec Yds/Game	17.0	37.5
Receiving TDs	1	4
Targets	35	68
Target Share/Game	2.5	4.5
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 6

Summary

Jonnu Smith outscored Hayden Hurst by 4.5 PPG in 2025 (8.2 to 3.7). 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 Hayden Hurst or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonnu Smith has the edge at 8.2 PPG compared to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 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.

Should I draft Hayden Hurst or Jonnu Smith in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Jonnu Smith is the earlier pick. He averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Hayden Hurst's 3.7, a 4.5 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Hayden Hurst and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 4.5 points per game.

When are Hayden Hurst and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Hayden Hurst or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith outscored Hayden Hurst by 4.5 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.