Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ja'Tavion Sanders vs Theo JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Theo Johnson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.0 PPG to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 4.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Theo Johnson is the better fantasy play this season.

Theo Johnson has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.8-PPG advantage is real (7.0 to 4.2), and Theo Johnson's 5 touchdowns show scoring upside. Ja'Tavion Sanders is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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TECarolina Panthers#99

Ja'Tavion Sanders

PPG

4.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

308

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TENew York Giants#24PPG LEADER

Theo Johnson

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Ja'Tavion Sanders

Theo Johnson

Head to Head

4.2 PPG7.0 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Ja'Tavion Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Theo Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Ja'Tavion Sanders is producing at 19% of elite pace and Theo Johnson at 32%. That ranking gap means Theo Johnson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ja'Tavion Sanders vs Theo Johnson: The Full Breakdown

Two tight ends who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Ja'Tavion Sanders (Carolina Panthers) finished the 2025 season averaging 4.2 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Theo Johnson (New York Giants) came in at 7.0 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Theo Johnson carries a 2.8-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Ja'Tavion Sanders had 32 catches for 308 yards; Theo Johnson posted 45 for 528. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

One scheduling note: Ja'Tavion Sanders is off Week 11 and Theo Johnson Week 8. 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.

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: Ja'Tavion Sanders (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Theo Johnson (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Theo Johnson outscored Ja'Tavion Sanders by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Theo Johnson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 14. That durability gap means Theo Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Theo Johnson scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Theo Johnson saw 74 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ja'Tavion Sanders vs Theo Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ja'Tavion Sanders	Theo Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.2	7.0
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	105
Receptions	32	45
Rec/Game	2.3	3.0
Receiving Yards	308	528
Rec Yds/Game	22.0	35.2
Receiving TDs	1	5
Targets	45	74
Target Share/Game	3.2	4.9
Age	-	25
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Theo Johnson holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.0 points per game. Ja'Tavion Sanders averaged 4.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ja'Tavion Sanders or Theo Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Theo Johnson has the edge at 7.0 PPG compared to Ja'Tavion Sanders's 4.2 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders and Theo Johnson average in 2025?▾

Ja'Tavion Sanders averaged 4.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.8 points per game.

When are Ja'Tavion Sanders and Theo Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ja'Tavion Sanders (CAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Theo Johnson (NYG) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ja'Tavion Sanders or Theo Johnson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Theo Johnson outscored Ja'Tavion Sanders 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.