Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Oronde Gadsden II vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Oronde Gadsden II is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.1 PPG to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Oronde Gadsden II is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Oronde Gadsden II and Tyler Higbee are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-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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TELos Angeles Chargers#23PPG LEADER

Oronde Gadsden II

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

664

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TELos Angeles Rams#25

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Oronde Gadsden II

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

7.1 PPG6.5 PPG

15 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Oronde Gadsden II: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #23 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Oronde Gadsden II is producing at 32% of elite pace and Tyler Higbee at 30%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Oronde Gadsden II vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Oronde Gadsden II finished the 2025 season at 7.1 PPG over 15 games with the Los Angeles Chargers, while Tyler Higbee clocked in at 6.5 across 9 appearances for the Los Angeles Rams. A 0.6-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.

Oronde Gadsden II is the volume tight end in this matchup with 49 receptions for 664 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 Oronde Gadsden II, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Oronde Gadsden II is off Week 7 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: Oronde Gadsden II (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Tyler Higbee (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Oronde Gadsden II outscored Tyler Higbee by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Oronde Gadsden II played 15 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. That durability gap means Oronde Gadsden II contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Oronde Gadsden II scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Oronde Gadsden II saw 69 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Oronde Gadsden II is 11 years younger than Tyler Higbee (22 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Oronde Gadsden II vs Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Oronde Gadsden II	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.1	6.5
Games Played	15	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	59
Receptions	49	25
Rec/Game	3.3	2.8
Receiving Yards	664	281
Rec Yds/Game	44.3	31.2
Receiving TDs	3	3
Targets	69	36
Target Share/Game	4.6	4.0
Age	22	33
Experience	-	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Oronde Gadsden II at 7.1 PPG, 0.6 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 Oronde Gadsden II or Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Oronde Gadsden II has the edge at 7.1 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 Oronde Gadsden II and Tyler Higbee average in 2025?▾

Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 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 0.6 points per game.

When are Oronde Gadsden II and Tyler Higbee's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Oronde Gadsden II (LAC) has a bye in Week 7, and Tyler Higbee (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Oronde Gadsden II or Tyler Higbee a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Oronde Gadsden II outscored Tyler Higbee by 0.6 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.