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Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Jonnu Smith or Juwan JohnsonWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Juwan Johnson over Jonnu Smith in 2026.

Juwan Johnson (8.3 PPG) and Jonnu Smith (8.2) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Both play tight ends, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

Statistically, Juwan Johnson and Jonnu Smith are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-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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TEMiami Dolphins

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TENew Orleans Saints#17PPG LEADER

Juwan Johnson

PPG

8.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

889

Rec TDs

Targets

102

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Jonnu Smith

Juwan Johnson

Head to Head

8.2 PPG8.3 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jonnu Smith: Unranked TE. Juwan Johnson: Tier 2 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #17 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Jonnu Smith is producing at 37% of elite pace and Juwan Johnson at 38%. Their per-game production is close enough that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Jonnu Smith vs Juwan Johnson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Jonnu Smith and Juwan Johnson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG with the Miami Dolphins across 15 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.

Juwan Johnson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 77 receptions for 889 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 Juwan Johnson, but the floor gap is real.

Jonnu Smith has his bye in Week 6, 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: Jonnu Smith (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?

•Juwan Johnson outscored Jonnu Smith by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Juwan Johnson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jonnu Smith's 15. That durability gap means Juwan Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonnu Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 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

Jonnu Smith vs Juwan Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jonnu Smith	Juwan Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	8.3
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	141
Receptions	52	77
Rec/Game	3.5	4.5
Receiving Yards	562	889
Rec Yds/Game	37.5	52.3
Receiving TDs	4	3
Targets	68	102
Target Share/Game	4.5	6.0
Age	-	29
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Juwan Johnson at 8.3 PPG, 0.1 points per game above Jonnu Smith's 8.2. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jonnu Smith or Juwan Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Juwan Johnson has the edge at 8.3 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.

Should I draft Jonnu Smith or Juwan Johnson in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Juwan Johnson and Jonnu Smith come off the board in the same range, so take whichever fits your roster build. Juwan Johnson averaged 8.3 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Jonnu Smith's 8.2, a gap of under a point. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Jonnu Smith and Juwan Johnson average in 2025?▾

Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Juwan Johnson averaged 8.3 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Jonnu Smith and Juwan Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Juwan Johnson (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jonnu Smith or Juwan Johnson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Juwan Johnson outscored Jonnu Smith by 0.1 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.