Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Colby Parkinson vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.7 PPG to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Colby Parkinson is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Colby Parkinson edges Tyler Higbee by 1.2 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, Colby Parkinson 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TELos Angeles Rams#21PPG LEADER

Colby Parkinson

PPG

7.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

408

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TELos Angeles Rams#25

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Colby Parkinson

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

7.7 PPG6.5 PPG

14 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Colby Parkinson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #21 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Colby Parkinson is producing at 35% of elite pace and Tyler Higbee at 30%. That ranking gap means Colby Parkinson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Colby Parkinson vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee 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. Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 PPG with the Los Angeles Rams across 14 games, and Tyler Higbee posted 6.5 with the Los Angeles Rams in 9.

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.

Colby Parkinson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 43 receptions for 408 yards, while Tyler Higbee profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 25 catches). In weeks where Tyler Higbee finds the end zone he out-scores Colby Parkinson, but the floor gap is real.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 11 bye. That means you need a backup plan at tight end for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Colby Parkinson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Tyler Higbee (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Colby Parkinson outscored Tyler Higbee by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Colby Parkinson played 14 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. That durability gap means Colby Parkinson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Colby Parkinson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Colby Parkinson saw 56 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Colby Parkinson is 6 years younger than Tyler Higbee (27 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Colby Parkinson vs Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Colby Parkinson	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.7	6.5
Games Played	14	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	108	59
Receptions	43	25
Rec/Game	3.1	2.8
Receiving Yards	408	281
Rec Yds/Game	29.1	31.2
Receiving TDs	8	3
Targets	56	36
Target Share/Game	4.0	4.0
Age	27	33
Experience	5 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Colby Parkinson holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.7 points per game. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Colby Parkinson vs Tyler Higbee

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Colby Parkinson vs Tyler Higbee

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Colby Parkinson or Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Colby Parkinson has the edge at 7.7 PPG compared to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 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 Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee average in 2025?▾

Colby Parkinson averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

Do Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Colby Parkinson or Tyler Higbee a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Colby Parkinson outscored Tyler Higbee 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.