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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Cade Otton vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Cade Otton's 6.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonnu Smith has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.0-PPG advantage is real (8.2 to 6.2), and Jonnu Smith's 4 touchdowns show scoring upside. Cade Otton 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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TETampa Bay Buccaneers#29
Cade Otton
PPG
6.2
Games
15
Rec
59
Rec Yds
572
Rec TDs
1
Targets
81
Bye
Week 10
TEMiami Dolphins#99PPG LEADER
Jonnu Smith
PPG
8.2
Games
15
Rec
52
Rec Yds
562
Rec TDs
4
Targets
68
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cade Otton
Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

6.2 PPG8.2 PPG
15 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Cade Otton: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #29 at the position). Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cade Otton is producing at 28% of elite pace and Jonnu Smith at 37%. That ranking gap means Cade Otton carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cade Otton vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

Two tight ends who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) finished the 2025 season averaging 6.2 fantasy points per game in 15 games. Jonnu Smith (Miami Dolphins) came in at 8.2 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Jonnu Smith carries a 2.0-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Cade Otton had 59 catches for 572 yards; Jonnu Smith posted 52 for 562. 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: Cade Otton is off Week 10 and Jonnu Smith 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: Cade Otton (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Jonnu Smith outscored Cade Otton by a projected 34 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jonnu Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Cade Otton saw 81 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cade Otton vs Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCade OttonJonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)6.28.2
Games Played1515
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)93123
Receptions5952
Rec/Game3.93.5
Receiving Yards572562
Rec Yds/Game38.137.5
Receiving TDs14
Targets8168
Target Share/Game5.44.5
Age27-
Experience3 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jonnu Smith holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.2 points per game. Cade Otton averaged 6.2 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 Cade Otton or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonnu Smith has the edge at 8.2 PPG compared to Cade Otton's 6.2 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 Cade Otton and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?

Cade Otton averaged 6.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.0 points per game.

When are Cade Otton and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?

Cade Otton (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cade Otton or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Jonnu Smith outscored Cade Otton by 2.0 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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