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Head to Head

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Juwan Johnson vs Oronde Gadsden IIWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Juwan Johnson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.3 PPG to Oronde Gadsden II's 7.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Juwan Johnson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Juwan Johnson and Oronde Gadsden II are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.2-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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TENew Orleans Saints#17PPG LEADER
Juwan Johnson
PPG
8.3
Games
17
Rec
77
Rec Yds
889
Rec TDs
3
Targets
102
Bye
Week 8
TELos Angeles Chargers#23
Oronde Gadsden II
PPG
7.1
Games
15
Rec
49
Rec Yds
664
Rec TDs
3
Targets
69
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Juwan Johnson
Oronde Gadsden II

Head to Head

8.3 PPG7.1 PPG
17 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Juwan Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #17 at the position). Oronde Gadsden II: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Juwan Johnson is producing at 38% of elite pace and Oronde Gadsden II at 32%. That ranking gap means Juwan Johnson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Juwan Johnson vs Oronde Gadsden II: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Juwan Johnson finished the 2025 season at 8.3 PPG over 17 games with the New Orleans Saints, while Oronde Gadsden II clocked in at 7.1 across 15 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers. A 1.2-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Juwan Johnson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 77 receptions for 889 yards, while Oronde Gadsden II profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 49 catches). In weeks where Oronde Gadsden II finds the end zone he out-scores Juwan Johnson, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Juwan Johnson is off Week 8 and Oronde Gadsden II Week 7. 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: Juwan Johnson (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Oronde Gadsden II (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Juwan Johnson outscored Oronde Gadsden II by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Juwan Johnson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Oronde Gadsden II's 15. That durability gap means Juwan Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Juwan Johnson scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 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.
  • Oronde Gadsden II is 7 years younger than Juwan Johnson (22 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Juwan Johnson vs Oronde Gadsden II: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJuwan JohnsonOronde Gadsden II
PPG (Half-PPR)8.37.1
Games Played1715
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)141107
Receptions7749
Rec/Game4.53.3
Receiving Yards889664
Rec Yds/Game52.344.3
Receiving TDs33
Targets10269
Target Share/Game6.04.6
Age2922
Experience5 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Juwan Johnson at 8.3 PPG, 1.2 points per game above Oronde Gadsden II's 7.1. 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 Juwan Johnson or Oronde Gadsden II in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Juwan Johnson has the edge at 8.3 PPG compared to Oronde Gadsden II's 7.1 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 Juwan Johnson and Oronde Gadsden II average in 2025?

Juwan Johnson averaged 8.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Juwan Johnson and Oronde Gadsden II's bye weeks in 2026?

Juwan Johnson (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Oronde Gadsden II (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Juwan Johnson or Oronde Gadsden II a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Juwan Johnson outscored Oronde Gadsden II by 1.2 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.

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