Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Hayden Hurst vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.5 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 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. Hayden Hurst at 3.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Tyler Higbee higher, but do not fade Hayden Hurst entirely.

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

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

TELos Angeles Rams#25PPG LEADER

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Hayden Hurst

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

3.7 PPG6.5 PPG

14 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Hayden Hurst is producing at 17% 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.

Hayden Hurst vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Hayden Hurst and Tyler Higbee is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Los Angeles Chargers tight end put up 3.7 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; Tyler Higbee of the Los Angeles Rams averaged 6.5 in 9. A 2.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.8 points favors Tyler Higbee, 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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Hayden Hurst had 25 catches for 238 yards; Tyler Higbee posted 25 for 281. 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: Hayden Hurst sits Week 5 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: Hayden Hurst (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. 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 Hayden Hurst by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Hayden Hurst played 14 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. That durability gap means Hayden Hurst 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.
•Tyler Higbee saw 36 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 Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Hayden Hurst	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.7	6.5
Games Played	14	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	52	59
Receptions	25	25
Rec/Game	1.8	2.8
Receiving Yards	238	281
Rec Yds/Game	17.0	31.2
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	35	36
Target Share/Game	2.5	4.0
Age	-	33
Experience	-	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 11

Summary

6.5 PPG for Tyler Higbee versus 3.7 for Hayden Hurst in 2025. The baseline favors Tyler Higbee, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Hayden Hurst or Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

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

Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.8 points per game.

When are Hayden Hurst and Tyler Higbee's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Tyler Higbee (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Hayden Hurst or Tyler Higbee a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tyler Higbee outscored Hayden Hurst by 2.8 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.