Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jonnu Smith vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 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. Tyler Higbee at 6.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jonnu Smith higher, but do not fade Tyler Higbee entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEMiami Dolphins#99PPG LEADER

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TELos Angeles Rams#25

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Jonnu Smith

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

8.2 PPG6.5 PPG

15 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Jonnu Smith is producing at 37% of elite pace and Tyler Higbee at 30%. That ranking gap means Tyler Higbee carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jonnu Smith vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jonnu Smith and Tyler Higbee for your lineup, you are not alone. Jonnu Smith finished the 2025 season at 8.2 PPG for the Miami Dolphins (15 games), and Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 for the Los Angeles Rams (9 games).

That 1.7-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.

Jonnu Smith is the volume tight end in this matchup with 52 receptions for 562 yards, while Tyler Higbee profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 25 catches). In weeks where Tyler Higbee finds the end zone he out-scores Jonnu Smith, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Jonnu Smith is off Week 6 and Tyler Higbee Week 11. 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: Jonnu Smith (age 27) 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?

•Jonnu Smith outscored Tyler Higbee by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonnu Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. That durability gap means Jonnu Smith 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.
•Jonnu Smith saw 68 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 Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jonnu Smith	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	6.5
Games Played	15	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	59
Receptions	52	25
Rec/Game	3.5	2.8
Receiving Yards	562	281
Rec Yds/Game	37.5	31.2
Receiving TDs	4	3
Targets	68	36
Target Share/Game	4.5	4.0
Age	-	33
Experience	-	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonnu Smith at 8.2 PPG, 1.7 points per game above Tyler Higbee's 6.5. 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 Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonnu Smith has the edge at 8.2 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 Jonnu Smith and Tyler Higbee average in 2025?▾

Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

When are Jonnu Smith and Tyler Higbee's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Tyler Higbee (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jonnu Smith or Tyler Higbee a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith outscored Tyler Higbee by 1.7 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.