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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Evan Engram vs Hayden HurstWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Evan Engram over Hayden Hurst in 2026.

Evan Engram averaged 4.9 PPG in 2025 to Hayden Hurst's 3.7, a 1.2 point per game edge. Both play tight ends, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

Statistically, Evan Engram and Hayden Hurst are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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TEDenver Broncos#35PPG LEADER

Evan Engram

PPG

4.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

461

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

TELos Angeles Chargers#99

Hayden Hurst

PPG

3.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Evan Engram

Hayden Hurst

Head to Head

4.9 PPG3.7 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Evan Engram: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #35 at the position). Hayden Hurst: Unranked TE. Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Evan Engram is producing at 22% of elite pace and Hayden Hurst at 17%. That ranking gap means Evan Engram carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Evan Engram vs Hayden Hurst: The Full Breakdown

Evan Engram (4.9 PPG) and Hayden Hurst (3.7 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Evan Engram played 16 games for the Denver Broncos; Hayden Hurst suited up 14 times for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 1.2-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Evan Engram is the volume tight end in this matchup with 50 receptions for 461 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 Evan Engram, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Evan Engram sits Week 10 while Hayden Hurst is off Week 5. 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: Evan Engram (age 31) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Hayden Hurst (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Evan Engram outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Evan Engram played 16 games in 2025 compared to Hayden Hurst's 14. That durability gap means Evan Engram contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Evan Engram scored 1 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Evan Engram saw 76 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Evan Engram vs Hayden Hurst: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Evan Engram	Hayden Hurst
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.9	3.7
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	78	52
Receptions	50	25
Rec/Game	3.1	1.8
Receiving Yards	461	238
Rec Yds/Game	28.8	17.0
Receiving TDs	1	1
Targets	76	35
Target Share/Game	4.8	2.5
Age	31	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 5

Summary

4.9 PPG for Evan Engram versus 3.7 for Hayden Hurst in 2025. The baseline favors Evan Engram, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Evan Engram or Hayden Hurst in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Evan Engram has the edge at 4.9 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 Evan Engram and Hayden Hurst average in 2025?▾

Evan Engram averaged 4.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Evan Engram and Hayden Hurst's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Evan Engram (DEN) has a bye in Week 10, and Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Evan Engram or Hayden Hurst a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Evan Engram outscored Hayden Hurst 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.