Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Noah Fant vs T.J. HockensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

T.J. Hockenson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.8 PPG to Noah Fant's 4.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

T.J. Hockenson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.4-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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TECincinnati Bengals#39

Noah Fant

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

288

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TEMinnesota Vikings#30PPG LEADER

T.J. Hockenson

PPG

5.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

438

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Noah Fant

T.J. Hockenson

Head to Head

4.4 PPG5.8 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Noah Fant: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #39 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, Noah Fant is producing at 20% 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.

Noah Fant vs T.J. Hockenson: The Full Breakdown

Noah Fant (4.4 PPG) and T.J. Hockenson (5.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Noah Fant played 13 games for the Cincinnati Bengals; T.J. Hockenson suited up 15 times for the Minnesota Vikings.

A 1.4-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

T.J. Hockenson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 51 receptions for 438 yards, while Noah Fant profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 34 catches). In weeks where Noah Fant finds the end zone he out-scores T.J. Hockenson, but the floor gap is real.

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: Noah Fant (age 28) 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?

•T.J. Hockenson outscored Noah Fant by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•T.J. Hockenson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Noah Fant's 13. That durability gap means T.J. Hockenson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Noah Fant scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•T.J. Hockenson saw 66 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

Noah Fant vs T.J. Hockenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Noah Fant	T.J. Hockenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.4	5.8
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	57	87
Receptions	34	51
Rec/Game	2.6	3.4
Receiving Yards	288	438
Rec Yds/Game	22.2	29.2
Receiving TDs	3	3
Targets	41	66
Target Share/Game	3.2	4.4
Age	28	28
Experience	6 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor T.J. Hockenson at 5.8 PPG, 1.4 points per game above Noah Fant's 4.4. 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 Noah Fant or T.J. Hockenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, T.J. Hockenson has the edge at 5.8 PPG compared to Noah Fant's 4.4 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 Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson average in 2025?▾

Noah Fant averaged 4.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

Do Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Noah Fant 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 Noah Fant or T.J. Hockenson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

T.J. Hockenson outscored Noah Fant by 1.4 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.