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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Theo Johnson vs T.J. HockensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Theo Johnson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.0 PPG to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Theo Johnson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Theo Johnson and T.J. Hockenson 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 York Giants#24PPG LEADER
Theo Johnson
PPG
7.0
Games
15
Rec
45
Rec Yds
528
Rec TDs
5
Targets
74
Bye
Week 8
TEMinnesota Vikings#30
T.J. Hockenson
PPG
5.8
Games
15
Rec
51
Rec Yds
438
Rec TDs
3
Targets
66
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Theo Johnson
T.J. Hockenson

Head to Head

7.0 PPG5.8 PPG
15 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Theo Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #24 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, Theo Johnson is producing at 32% of elite pace and T.J. Hockenson at 26%. That ranking gap means Theo Johnson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Theo Johnson vs T.J. Hockenson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Theo Johnson and T.J. Hockenson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 PPG with the New York Giants across 15 games, and T.J. Hockenson posted 5.8 with the Minnesota Vikings in 15.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Theo Johnson had 45 catches for 528 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.

Theo Johnson has his bye in Week 8, and T.J. Hockenson rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Theo Johnson (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. T.J. Hockenson (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Theo Johnson outscored T.J. Hockenson by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Theo Johnson scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Theo Johnson saw 74 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Theo Johnson vs T.J. Hockenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatTheo JohnsonT.J. Hockenson
PPG (Half-PPR)7.05.8
Games Played1515
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)10587
Receptions4551
Rec/Game3.03.4
Receiving Yards528438
Rec Yds/Game35.229.2
Receiving TDs53
Targets7466
Target Share/Game4.94.4
Age2528
Experience1 yrs6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Theo Johnson at 7.0 PPG, 1.2 points per game above T.J. Hockenson's 5.8. 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 Theo Johnson or T.J. Hockenson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Theo Johnson has the edge at 7.0 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 Theo Johnson and T.J. Hockenson average in 2025?

Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 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 1.2 points per game.

When are Theo Johnson and T.J. Hockenson's bye weeks in 2026?

Theo Johnson (NYG) has a bye in Week 8, and T.J. Hockenson (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Theo Johnson or T.J. Hockenson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Theo Johnson outscored T.J. Hockenson 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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