Jake Tonges vs T.J. Hockenson: Who Should You Start?
This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Jake Tonges finished the 2025 season at 4.5 PPG over 17 games with the San Francisco 49ers, while T.J. Hockenson clocked in at 5.8 across 15 appearances for the Minnesota Vikings. A 1.3-point gap means any given week could go either way.
With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.
T.J. Hockenson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 51 receptions for 438 yards, while Jake Tonges profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (5 scores on 34 catches). In weeks where Jake Tonges finds the end zone he out-scores T.J. Hockenson, but the floor gap is real.
One scheduling note: Jake Tonges is off Week 9 and T.J. Hockenson Week 6. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.
