Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Mike Gesicki vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.5 PPG to Mike Gesicki's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Higbee is the better fantasy play this season.

Tyler Higbee is the better play on a neutral week. 6.5 PPG with 281 yards gives a reliable baseline. Mike Gesicki at 4.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Tyler Higbee higher, but do not fade Mike Gesicki entirely.

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

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TECincinnati Bengals#36

Mike Gesicki

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TELos Angeles Rams#25PPG LEADER

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Mike Gesicki

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

4.7 PPG6.5 PPG

12 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Mike Gesicki: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #36 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Mike Gesicki is producing at 21% 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.

Mike Gesicki vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Mike Gesicki and Tyler Higbee is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Cincinnati Bengals tight end put up 4.7 PPG in 2025 over 12 games; Tyler Higbee of the Los Angeles Rams averaged 6.5 in 9. A 1.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.8 points favors Tyler Higbee, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Mike Gesicki had 28 catches for 307 yards; Tyler Higbee posted 25 for 281. 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: Mike Gesicki 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: Mike Gesicki (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Tyler Higbee (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Higbee outscored Mike Gesicki by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Mike Gesicki played 12 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. That durability gap means Mike Gesicki contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tyler Higbee scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Mike Gesicki saw 42 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Mike Gesicki vs Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Mike Gesicki	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	6.5
Games Played	12	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	56	59
Receptions	28	25
Rec/Game	2.3	2.8
Receiving Yards	307	281
Rec Yds/Game	25.6	31.2
Receiving TDs	2	3
Targets	42	36
Target Share/Game	3.5	4.0
Age	30	33
Experience	7 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

6.5 PPG for Tyler Higbee versus 4.7 for Mike Gesicki in 2025. The baseline favors Tyler Higbee, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Mike Gesicki or Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Higbee has the edge at 6.5 PPG compared to Mike Gesicki's 4.7 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 Mike Gesicki and Tyler Higbee average in 2025?▾

Mike Gesicki averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are Mike Gesicki and Tyler Higbee's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Mike Gesicki (CIN) 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 Mike Gesicki or Tyler Higbee a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tyler Higbee outscored Mike Gesicki by 1.8 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.