Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jake Tonges vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jake Tonges is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.5 PPG to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jake Tonges is the better fantasy play this season.

Jake Tonges is the better play on a neutral week. 8.5 PPG with 293 yards gives a reliable baseline. Tyler Higbee at 6.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jake Tonges higher, but do not fade Tyler Higbee entirely.

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

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TESan Francisco 49ers#15PPG LEADER

Jake Tonges

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

293

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

TELos Angeles Rams#25

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Jake Tonges

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

8.5 PPG6.5 PPG

9 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jake Tonges: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #15 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Jake Tonges is producing at 39% of elite pace and Tyler Higbee at 30%. That ranking gap means Jake Tonges carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jake Tonges vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Jake Tonges and Tyler Higbee is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The San Francisco 49ers tight end put up 8.5 PPG in 2025 over 9 games; Tyler Higbee of the Los Angeles Rams averaged 6.5 in 9. A 2.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.0 points favors Jake Tonges, 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. Jake Tonges had 34 catches for 293 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: Jake Tonges sits Week 8 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: Jake Tonges (age 26) 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?

•Jake Tonges outscored Tyler Higbee by a projected 34 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jake Tonges scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jake Tonges saw 46 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Jake Tonges is 7 years younger than Tyler Higbee (26 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jake Tonges vs Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jake Tonges	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.5	6.5
Games Played	9	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	59
Receptions	34	25
Rec/Game	3.8	2.8
Receiving Yards	293	281
Rec Yds/Game	32.6	31.2
Receiving TDs	5	3
Targets	46	36
Target Share/Game	5.1	4.0
Age	26	33
Experience	3 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

8.5 PPG for Jake Tonges versus 6.5 for Tyler Higbee in 2025. The baseline favors Jake Tonges, 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 Tonges or Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Tonges has the edge at 8.5 PPG compared to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 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 Tonges and Tyler Higbee average in 2025?▾

Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 2.0 points per game.

When are Jake Tonges and Tyler Higbee's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jake Tonges (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Tyler Higbee (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jake Tonges or Tyler Higbee a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jake Tonges outscored Tyler Higbee by 2.0 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.