Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jonnu Smith vs T.J. HockensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonnu Smith is the better play on a neutral week. 8.2 PPG with 562 yards gives a reliable baseline. T.J. Hockenson at 5.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jonnu Smith higher, but do not fade T.J. Hockenson entirely.

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

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TEMiami Dolphins#99PPG LEADER

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TEMinnesota Vikings#30

T.J. Hockenson

PPG

5.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

438

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Jonnu Smith

T.J. Hockenson

Head to Head

8.2 PPG5.8 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). T.J. Hockenson: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #30 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Jonnu Smith is producing at 37% of elite pace and T.J. Hockenson at 26%. That ranking gap means T.J. Hockenson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jonnu Smith vs T.J. Hockenson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jonnu Smith and T.J. Hockenson for your lineup, you are not alone. Jonnu Smith finished the 2025 season at 8.2 PPG for the Miami Dolphins (15 games), and T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 for the Minnesota Vikings (15 games).

That 2.4-point weekly advantage for Jonnu Smith is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Jonnu Smith had 52 catches for 562 yards; T.J. Hockenson posted 51 for 438. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Both share a Week 6 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

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. T.J. Hockenson (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jonnu Smith outscored T.J. Hockenson by a projected 41 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonnu Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jonnu Smith saw 68 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Both players share a Week 6 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jonnu Smith vs T.J. Hockenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jonnu Smith	T.J. Hockenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	5.8
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	87
Receptions	52	51
Rec/Game	3.5	3.4
Receiving Yards	562	438
Rec Yds/Game	37.5	29.2
Receiving TDs	4	3
Targets	68	66
Target Share/Game	4.5	4.4
Age	-	28
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonnu Smith at 8.2 PPG, 2.4 points per game above T.J. Hockenson's 5.8. 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 T.J. Hockenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonnu Smith has the edge at 8.2 PPG compared to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8 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 Jonnu Smith and T.J. Hockenson average in 2025?▾

Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.4 points per game.

Do Jonnu Smith and T.J. Hockenson share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Jonnu Smith and T.J. Hockenson share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Jonnu Smith or T.J. Hockenson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith outscored T.J. Hockenson by 2.4 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.