Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

T.J. Hockenson vs Tyler ConklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Conklin is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.5 PPG to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Conklin is the better fantasy play this season.

Tyler Conklin has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.7-PPG advantage is real (7.5 to 5.8), and Tyler Conklin's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. T.J. Hockenson is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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TEMinnesota Vikings#30

T.J. Hockenson

PPG

5.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

438

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TENew York Jets#99PPG LEADER

Tyler Conklin

PPG

7.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

525

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

T.J. Hockenson

Tyler Conklin

Head to Head

5.8 PPG7.5 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

T.J. Hockenson: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #30 at the position). Tyler Conklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, T.J. Hockenson is producing at 26% of elite pace and Tyler Conklin at 34%. That ranking gap means T.J. Hockenson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

T.J. Hockenson vs Tyler Conklin: The Full Breakdown

T.J. Hockenson and Tyler Conklin are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG across 15 games with the Minnesota Vikings, while Tyler Conklin posted 7.5 PPG in 17 appearances for the New York Jets.

A 1.7-PPG gap gives Tyler Conklin the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. T.J. Hockenson had 51 catches for 438 yards; Tyler Conklin posted 50 for 525. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: T.J. Hockenson sits Week 6 while Tyler Conklin is off Week 12. 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

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: T.J. Hockenson (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Tyler Conklin (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Conklin outscored T.J. Hockenson by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tyler Conklin played 17 games in 2025 compared to T.J. Hockenson's 15. That durability gap means Tyler Conklin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•T.J. Hockenson 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

T.J. Hockenson vs Tyler Conklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	T.J. Hockenson	Tyler Conklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.8	7.5
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	87	128
Receptions	51	50
Rec/Game	3.4	2.9
Receiving Yards	438	525
Rec Yds/Game	29.2	30.9
Receiving TDs	3	3
Targets	66	65
Target Share/Game	4.4	3.8
Age	28	-
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 12

Summary

Tyler Conklin outscored T.J. Hockenson by 1.7 PPG in 2025 (7.5 to 5.8). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start T.J. Hockenson or Tyler Conklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Conklin has the edge at 7.5 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 T.J. Hockenson and Tyler Conklin average in 2025?▾

T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Tyler Conklin averaged 7.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

When are T.J. Hockenson and Tyler Conklin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

T.J. Hockenson (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Tyler Conklin (NYJ) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is T.J. Hockenson or Tyler Conklin a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tyler Conklin outscored T.J. Hockenson by 1.7 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.