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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Dalton Schultz vs T.J. HockensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Dalton Schultz over T.J. Hockenson in 2026.

Dalton Schultz averaged 8.0 PPG in 2025 to T.J. Hockenson's 5.8, a 2.2 point per game edge. Schultz's 82-catch receiving role gives him a higher weekly floor in PPR and half-PPR. Dalton Schultz is Tier 2 at the position, T.J. Hockenson is Tier 4.

The Bottom Line

Dalton Schultz is the better play on a neutral week. 8.0 PPG with 777 yards gives a reliable baseline. T.J. Hockenson at 5.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Dalton Schultz higher, but do not fade T.J. Hockenson entirely.

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

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TEHouston Texans#18PPG LEADER

Dalton Schultz

PPG

8.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

777

Rec TDs

Targets

106

Bye

Week 8

TEMinnesota Vikings#30

T.J. Hockenson

PPG

5.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

438

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Dalton Schultz

T.J. Hockenson

Head to Head

8.0 PPG5.8 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Dalton Schultz: Tier 2 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #18 at the position). T.J. Hockenson: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #30 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dalton Schultz is producing at 36% of elite pace and T.J. Hockenson at 26%. That ranking gap means Dalton Schultz carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dalton Schultz vs T.J. Hockenson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Dalton Schultz and T.J. Hockenson for your lineup, you are not alone. Dalton Schultz finished the 2025 season at 8.0 PPG for the Houston Texans (17 games), and T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 for the Minnesota Vikings (15 games).

That 2.2-point weekly advantage for Dalton Schultz 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.

Dalton Schultz is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 777 yards, while T.J. Hockenson profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 51 catches). In weeks where T.J. Hockenson finds the end zone he out-scores Dalton Schultz, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Dalton Schultz sits Week 8 while T.J. Hockenson is off Week 6. 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: Dalton Schultz (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. T.J. Hockenson (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Dalton Schultz outscored T.J. Hockenson by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dalton Schultz played 17 games in 2025 compared to T.J. Hockenson's 15. 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 T.J. Hockenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dalton Schultz	T.J. Hockenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.0	5.8
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	136	87
Receptions	82	51
Rec/Game	4.8	3.4
Receiving Yards	777	438
Rec Yds/Game	45.7	29.2
Receiving TDs	3	3
Targets	106	66
Target Share/Game	6.2	4.4
Age	30	29
Experience	7 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Dalton Schultz at 8.0 PPG, 2.2 points per game above T.J. Hockenson's 5.8. 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 Dalton Schultz or T.J. Hockenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dalton Schultz has the edge at 8.0 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 Dalton Schultz and T.J. Hockenson average in 2025?▾

Dalton Schultz averaged 8.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. T.J. Hockenson averaged 5.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are Dalton Schultz and T.J. Hockenson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dalton Schultz (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and T.J. Hockenson (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dalton Schultz or T.J. Hockenson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Dalton Schultz outscored T.J. Hockenson by 2.2 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.