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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Theo Johnson vs Trey McBrideWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Trey McBride is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Theo Johnson's 7.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Trey McBride is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Trey McBride outscored Theo Johnson by 7.9 PPG in 2025 with 11 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Trey McBride is the clear pick. Theo Johnson profiles as a matchup-dependent tight end who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TENew York Giants#24
Theo Johnson
PPG
7.0
Games
15
Rec
45
Rec Yds
528
Rec TDs
5
Targets
74
Bye
Week 8
TEArizona Cardinals#1PPG LEADER
Trey McBride
PPG
14.9
Games
17
Rec
126
Rec Yds
1,239
Rec TDs
11
Targets
169
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Theo Johnson
Trey McBride

Head to Head

7.0 PPG14.9 PPG
15 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Theo Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #24 at the position). Trey McBride: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #1 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Theo Johnson is producing at 32% of elite pace and Trey McBride at 68%. That ranking gap means Trey McBride carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Theo Johnson vs Trey McBride: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Trey McBride put up 14.9 fantasy points per game for the Arizona Cardinals in 2025, while Theo Johnson managed 7.0 across 15 games with the New York Giants. A 7.9-point weekly edge is substantial at the tight end position.

That 7.9-point weekly advantage for Trey McBride is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Trey McBride is the volume tight end in this matchup with 126 receptions for 1239 yards, while Theo Johnson profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (5 scores on 45 catches). In weeks where Theo Johnson finds the end zone he out-scores Trey McBride, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Theo Johnson sits Week 8 while Trey McBride is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Trey McBride is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Theo Johnson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Theo Johnson (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Trey McBride (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Trey McBride outscored Theo Johnson by a projected 134 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Trey McBride played 17 games in 2025 compared to Theo Johnson's 15. That durability gap means Trey McBride contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Trey McBride scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Trey McBride saw 169 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 Trey McBride: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatTheo JohnsonTrey McBride
PPG (Half-PPR)7.014.9
Games Played1517
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)105253
Receptions45126
Rec/Game3.07.4
Receiving Yards5281,239
Rec Yds/Game35.272.9
Receiving TDs511
Targets74169
Target Share/Game4.99.9
Age2526
Experience1 yrs3 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Trey McBride at 14.9 PPG, 7.9 points per game above Theo Johnson's 7.0. 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 Trey McBride in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Trey McBride has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Theo Johnson's 7.0 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 Trey McBride average in 2025?

Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Trey McBride averaged 14.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 7.9 points per game.

When are Theo Johnson and Trey McBride's bye weeks in 2026?

Theo Johnson (NYG) has a bye in Week 8, and Trey McBride (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Theo Johnson or Trey McBride a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Trey McBride outscored Theo Johnson by 7.9 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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