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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Jake Ferguson vs Juwan JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Juwan Johnson's 8.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jake Ferguson edges Juwan Johnson by 0.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Jake Ferguson goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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
17
Rec
82
Rec Yds
600
Rec TDs
8
Targets
102
Bye
Week 14
TENew Orleans Saints#17
Juwan Johnson
PPG
8.3
Games
17
Rec
77
Rec Yds
889
Rec TDs
3
Targets
102
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jake Ferguson
Juwan Johnson

Head to Head

8.7 PPG8.3 PPG
17 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jake Ferguson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #14 at the position). Juwan Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #17 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Jake Ferguson is producing at 40% of elite pace and Juwan Johnson at 38%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Jake Ferguson vs Juwan Johnson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Jake Ferguson and Juwan Johnson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.4 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 PPG with the Dallas Cowboys across 17 games, and Juwan Johnson posted 8.3 with the New Orleans Saints in 17.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Jake Ferguson had 82 catches for 600 yards; Juwan Johnson posted 77 for 889. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Jake Ferguson has his bye in Week 14, and Juwan Johnson rests in Week 8. 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: Jake Ferguson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Juwan Johnson (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Jake Ferguson outscored Juwan Johnson by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jake Ferguson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Juwan Johnson 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 Juwan Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJake FergusonJuwan Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)8.78.3
Games Played1717
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)148141
Receptions8277
Rec/Game4.84.5
Receiving Yards600889
Rec Yds/Game35.352.3
Receiving TDs83
Targets102102
Target Share/Game6.06.0
Age2729
Experience3 yrs5 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 8

Summary

Jake Ferguson outscored Juwan Johnson by 0.4 PPG in 2025 (8.7 to 8.3). 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 Jake Ferguson or Juwan Johnson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Ferguson has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Juwan Johnson's 8.3 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 Juwan Johnson average in 2025?

Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Juwan Johnson averaged 8.3 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Jake Ferguson and Juwan Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?

Jake Ferguson (DAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Juwan Johnson (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jake Ferguson or Juwan Johnson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Jake Ferguson outscored Juwan Johnson by 0.4 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.

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