Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jake Ferguson vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Jake Ferguson and Jonnu Smith are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.5-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEDallas Cowboys#14PPG LEADER

Jake Ferguson

PPG

8.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

600

Rec TDs

Targets

102

Bye

Week 14

TEMiami Dolphins#99

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Jake Ferguson

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

8.7 PPG8.2 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jake Ferguson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #14 at the position). Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Jake Ferguson is producing at 40% of elite pace and Jonnu Smith at 37%. That ranking gap means Jake Ferguson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jake Ferguson vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

Jake Ferguson (8.7 PPG) and Jonnu Smith (8.2 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Jake Ferguson played 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys; Jonnu Smith suited up 15 times for the Miami Dolphins.

A 0.5-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Jake Ferguson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 600 yards, while Jonnu Smith profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (4 scores on 52 catches). In weeks where Jonnu Smith finds the end zone he out-scores Jake Ferguson, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jake Ferguson sits Week 14 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

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: Jake Ferguson (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?

•Jake Ferguson outscored Jonnu Smith by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jake Ferguson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jonnu Smith's 15. That durability gap means Jake Ferguson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jake Ferguson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jake Ferguson saw 102 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jake Ferguson vs Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jake Ferguson	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	8.2
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	148	123
Receptions	82	52
Rec/Game	4.8	3.5
Receiving Yards	600	562
Rec Yds/Game	35.3	37.5
Receiving TDs	8	4
Targets	102	68
Target Share/Game	6.0	4.5
Age	27	-
Experience	3 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

8.7 PPG for Jake Ferguson versus 8.2 for Jonnu Smith in 2025. The baseline favors Jake Ferguson, 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 Jake Ferguson or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Ferguson has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 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 Jake Ferguson and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Jake Ferguson and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jake Ferguson (DAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jake Ferguson or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jake Ferguson outscored Jonnu Smith by 0.5 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.