Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Pat Freiermuth vs T.J. HockensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.2 PPG to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Pat Freiermuth is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Pat Freiermuth edges T.J. Hockenson by 0.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Pat Freiermuth goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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TEPittsburgh Steelers#28PPG LEADER

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEMinnesota Vikings#30

T.J. Hockenson

PPG

5.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

438

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Pat Freiermuth

T.J. Hockenson

Head to Head

6.2 PPG5.8 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 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, Pat Freiermuth is producing at 28% of elite pace and T.J. Hockenson at 26%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Pat Freiermuth vs T.J. Hockenson: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Pat Freiermuth finished the 2025 season at 6.2 PPG over 15 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while T.J. Hockenson clocked in at 5.8 across 15 appearances for the Minnesota Vikings. A 0.4-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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Pat Freiermuth had 41 catches for 486 yards; T.J. Hockenson posted 51 for 438. 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: Pat Freiermuth is off Week 9 and T.J. Hockenson Week 6. 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: Pat Freiermuth (age 27) 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?

•Pat Freiermuth outscored T.J. Hockenson by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Pat Freiermuth scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Pat Freiermuth vs T.J. Hockenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Pat Freiermuth	T.J. Hockenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.2	5.8
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	93	87
Receptions	41	51
Rec/Game	2.7	3.4
Receiving Yards	486	438
Rec Yds/Game	32.4	29.2
Receiving TDs	4	3
Targets	54	66
Target Share/Game	3.6	4.4
Age	27	28
Experience	4 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Pat Freiermuth holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 6.2 points per game. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Pat Freiermuth or T.J. Hockenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Pat Freiermuth has the edge at 6.2 PPG compared to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8 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 Pat Freiermuth and T.J. Hockenson average in 2025?▾

Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Pat Freiermuth and T.J. Hockenson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and T.J. Hockenson (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Pat Freiermuth or T.J. Hockenson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Pat Freiermuth outscored T.J. Hockenson by 0.4 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.