Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Dalton Schultz vs Hayden HurstWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dalton Schultz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.0 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dalton Schultz is the better fantasy play this season.

Dalton Schultz has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.3-PPG advantage is real (8.0 to 3.7), and Dalton Schultz's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Hayden Hurst is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Dalton Schultz and Hayden Hurst in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TEHouston Texans#18PPG LEADER

Dalton Schultz

PPG

8.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

777

Rec TDs

Targets

106

Bye

Week 8

TELos Angeles Chargers#99

Hayden Hurst

PPG

3.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Dalton Schultz

Hayden Hurst

Head to Head

8.0 PPG3.7 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Dalton Schultz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #18 at the position). Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dalton Schultz is producing at 36% of elite pace and Hayden Hurst at 17%. That ranking gap means Dalton Schultz carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dalton Schultz vs Hayden Hurst: The Full Breakdown

Dalton Schultz and Hayden Hurst are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Dalton Schultz averaged 8.0 PPG across 17 games with the Houston Texans, while Hayden Hurst posted 3.7 PPG in 14 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 4.3-PPG gap gives Dalton Schultz 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.

Dalton Schultz is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 777 yards, while Hayden Hurst profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 25 catches). In weeks where Hayden Hurst finds the end zone he out-scores Dalton Schultz, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Dalton Schultz is off Week 8 and Hayden Hurst Week 5. 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

If you can acquire Dalton Schultz at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. Hayden Hurst is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Dalton Schultz (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Hayden Hurst (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Dalton Schultz outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dalton Schultz played 17 games in 2025 compared to Hayden Hurst's 14. That durability gap means Dalton Schultz contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Dalton Schultz scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Dalton Schultz saw 106 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dalton Schultz vs Hayden Hurst: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dalton Schultz	Hayden Hurst
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.0	3.7
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	136	52
Receptions	82	25
Rec/Game	4.8	1.8
Receiving Yards	777	238
Rec Yds/Game	45.7	17.0
Receiving TDs	3	1
Targets	106	35
Target Share/Game	6.2	2.5
Age	29	-
Experience	7 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 5

Summary

Dalton Schultz outscored Hayden Hurst by 4.3 PPG in 2025 (8.0 to 3.7). 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Dalton Schultz vs Hayden Hurst

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 Dalton Schultz vs Hayden Hurst

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 Dalton Schultz or Hayden Hurst in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dalton Schultz has the edge at 8.0 PPG compared to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 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 Dalton Schultz and Hayden Hurst average in 2025?▾

Dalton Schultz averaged 8.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are Dalton Schultz and Hayden Hurst's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dalton Schultz (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dalton Schultz or Hayden Hurst a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Dalton Schultz outscored Hayden Hurst by 4.3 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.