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Head to Head

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Hayden Hurst vs Noah FantWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Noah Fant is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.4 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Noah Fant is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Noah Fant edges Hayden Hurst by 0.7 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, Noah Fant 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.

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TELos Angeles Chargers#99
Hayden Hurst
PPG
3.7
Games
14
Rec
25
Rec Yds
238
Rec TDs
1
Targets
35
Bye
Week 5
TECincinnati Bengals#39PPG LEADER
Noah Fant
PPG
4.4
Games
13
Rec
34
Rec Yds
288
Rec TDs
3
Targets
41
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Hayden Hurst
Noah Fant

Head to Head

3.7 PPG4.4 PPG
14 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Noah Fant: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #39 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Hayden Hurst is producing at 17% of elite pace and Noah Fant at 20%. That ranking gap means Noah Fant carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Hayden Hurst vs Noah Fant: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Hayden Hurst finished the 2025 season at 3.7 PPG over 14 games with the Los Angeles Chargers, while Noah Fant clocked in at 4.4 across 13 appearances for the Cincinnati Bengals. A 0.7-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Hayden Hurst had 25 catches for 238 yards; Noah Fant posted 34 for 288. 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: Hayden Hurst is off Week 5 and Noah Fant 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

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: Hayden Hurst (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Noah Fant (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Noah Fant outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Hayden Hurst played 14 games in 2025 compared to Noah Fant's 13. That durability gap means Hayden Hurst contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Noah Fant scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Noah Fant saw 41 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Hayden Hurst vs Noah Fant: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatHayden HurstNoah Fant
PPG (Half-PPR)3.74.4
Games Played1413
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)5257
Receptions2534
Rec/Game1.82.6
Receiving Yards238288
Rec Yds/Game17.022.2
Receiving TDs13
Targets3541
Target Share/Game2.53.2
Age-28
Experience-6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 5Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Noah Fant holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 4.4 points per game. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Hayden Hurst or Noah Fant in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Noah Fant has the edge at 4.4 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 Hayden Hurst and Noah Fant average in 2025?

Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Noah Fant averaged 4.4 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Hayden Hurst and Noah Fant's bye weeks in 2026?

Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Noah Fant (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Hayden Hurst or Noah Fant a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Noah Fant outscored Hayden Hurst by 0.7 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.