Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Evan Engram vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.2 PPG to Evan Engram's 4.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonnu Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonnu Smith is the better play on a neutral week. 8.2 PPG with 562 yards gives a reliable baseline. Evan Engram at 4.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jonnu Smith higher, but do not fade Evan Engram entirely.

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

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TEDenver Broncos#35

Evan Engram

PPG

4.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

461

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

TEMiami Dolphins#99PPG LEADER

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Evan Engram

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

4.9 PPG8.2 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Evan Engram: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #35 at the position). Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Evan Engram is producing at 22% of elite pace and Jonnu Smith at 37%. That ranking gap means Evan Engram carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Evan Engram vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Evan Engram and Jonnu Smith for your lineup, you are not alone. Evan Engram finished the 2025 season at 4.9 PPG for the Denver Broncos (16 games), and Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 for the Miami Dolphins (15 games).

That 3.3-point weekly advantage for Jonnu Smith 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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Evan Engram had 50 catches for 461 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: Evan Engram 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

Jonnu Smith is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Evan Engram is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Evan Engram (age 31) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jonnu Smith outscored Evan Engram by a projected 56 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Evan Engram played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jonnu Smith's 15. That durability gap means Evan Engram contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonnu Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 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 Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Evan Engram	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.9	8.2
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	78	123
Receptions	50	52
Rec/Game	3.1	3.5
Receiving Yards	461	562
Rec Yds/Game	28.8	37.5
Receiving TDs	1	4
Targets	76	68
Target Share/Game	4.8	4.5
Age	31	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonnu Smith at 8.2 PPG, 3.3 points per game above Evan Engram's 4.9. 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 Evan Engram or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonnu Smith has the edge at 8.2 PPG compared to Evan Engram's 4.9 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 Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

Evan Engram averaged 4.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.3 points per game.

When are Evan Engram and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Evan Engram (DEN) 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 Evan Engram or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith outscored Evan Engram by 3.3 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.