Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Hayden Hurst vs Pat FreiermuthWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.2 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy play this season.

Pat Freiermuth is the better play on a neutral week. 6.2 PPG with 486 yards gives a reliable baseline. Hayden Hurst at 3.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Pat Freiermuth higher, but do not fade Hayden Hurst entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Hayden Hurst and Pat Freiermuth in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TELos Angeles Chargers#99

Hayden Hurst

PPG

3.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

TEPittsburgh Steelers#28PPG LEADER

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Hayden Hurst

Pat Freiermuth

Head to Head

3.7 PPG6.2 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Hayden Hurst is producing at 17% of elite pace and Pat Freiermuth at 28%. That ranking gap means Pat Freiermuth carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Hayden Hurst vs Pat Freiermuth: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Hayden Hurst and Pat Freiermuth is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Los Angeles Chargers tight end put up 3.7 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; Pat Freiermuth of the Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 6.2 in 15. A 2.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.5 points favors Pat Freiermuth, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Pat Freiermuth is the volume tight end in this matchup with 41 receptions for 486 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 Pat Freiermuth, but the floor gap is real.

Hayden Hurst has his bye in Week 5, and Pat Freiermuth rests in Week 9. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Hayden Hurst (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Pat Freiermuth outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Pat Freiermuth played 15 games in 2025 compared to Hayden Hurst's 14. That durability gap means Pat Freiermuth contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Pat Freiermuth scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Pat Freiermuth saw 54 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 Pat Freiermuth: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Hayden Hurst	Pat Freiermuth
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.7	6.2
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	52	93
Receptions	25	41
Rec/Game	1.8	2.7
Receiving Yards	238	486
Rec Yds/Game	17.0	32.4
Receiving TDs	1	4
Targets	35	54
Target Share/Game	2.5	3.6
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 9

Summary

6.2 PPG for Pat Freiermuth versus 3.7 for Hayden Hurst in 2025. The baseline favors Pat Freiermuth, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Hayden Hurst vs Pat Freiermuth

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 Hayden Hurst vs Pat Freiermuth

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 Hayden Hurst or Pat Freiermuth in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Pat Freiermuth has the edge at 6.2 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.

How many fantasy points did Hayden Hurst and Pat Freiermuth average in 2025?▾

Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are Hayden Hurst and Pat Freiermuth's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Hayden Hurst or Pat Freiermuth a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Pat Freiermuth outscored Hayden Hurst by 2.5 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.