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Hayden Hurst vs Oronde Gadsden IIWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Oronde Gadsden II is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.1 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Oronde Gadsden II is the better fantasy play this season.

Oronde Gadsden II has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.4-PPG advantage is real (7.1 to 3.7), and Oronde Gadsden II's 3 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#99
Hayden Hurst
PPG
3.7
Games
14
Rec
25
Rec Yds
238
Rec TDs
1
Targets
35
Bye
Week 5
TELos Angeles Chargers#23PPG LEADER
Oronde Gadsden II
PPG
7.1
Games
15
Rec
49
Rec Yds
664
Rec TDs
3
Targets
69
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Hayden Hurst
Oronde Gadsden II

Head to Head

3.7 PPG7.1 PPG
14 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Oronde Gadsden II: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Hayden Hurst is producing at 17% of elite pace and Oronde Gadsden II at 32%. That ranking gap means Oronde Gadsden II carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Hayden Hurst vs Oronde Gadsden II: The Full Breakdown

Two tight ends who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Hayden Hurst (Los Angeles Chargers) finished the 2025 season averaging 3.7 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Oronde Gadsden II (Los Angeles Chargers) came in at 7.1 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Oronde Gadsden II carries a 3.4-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Oronde Gadsden II is the volume tight end in this matchup with 49 receptions for 664 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 Oronde Gadsden II, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Hayden Hurst sits Week 5 while Oronde Gadsden II is off Week 7. 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 Oronde Gadsden II 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. Oronde Gadsden II (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Oronde Gadsden II outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Oronde Gadsden II played 15 games in 2025 compared to Hayden Hurst's 14. That durability gap means Oronde Gadsden II contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Oronde Gadsden II scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Oronde Gadsden II saw 69 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 Oronde Gadsden II: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatHayden HurstOronde Gadsden II
PPG (Half-PPR)3.77.1
Games Played1415
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)52107
Receptions2549
Rec/Game1.83.3
Receiving Yards238664
Rec Yds/Game17.044.3
Receiving TDs13
Targets3569
Target Share/Game2.54.6
Age-22
Bye WeekWeek 5Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Oronde Gadsden II holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.1 points per game. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Hayden Hurst or Oronde Gadsden II in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Oronde Gadsden II has the edge at 7.1 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.

How many fantasy points did Hayden Hurst and Oronde Gadsden II average in 2025?

Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.4 points per game.

When are Hayden Hurst and Oronde Gadsden II's bye weeks in 2026?

Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Oronde Gadsden II (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Hayden Hurst or Oronde Gadsden II a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Oronde Gadsden II outscored Hayden Hurst by 3.4 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.