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Updated September 9, 2026 from live stats

Jake Tonges or Mike GesickiWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Jake Tonges over Mike Gesicki in 2026.

Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 PPG in 2025 to Mike Gesicki's 4.7, a 3.8 point per game edge. Tonges posted that edge in only 9 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability. Jake Tonges is Tier 2 at the position, Mike Gesicki is Tier 4.

The Bottom Line

Jake Tonges has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.8-PPG advantage is real (8.5 to 4.7), and Jake Tonges's 5 touchdowns show scoring upside. Mike Gesicki 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.

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TESan Francisco 49ers#15PPG LEADER

Jake Tonges

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

293

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

TECincinnati Bengals#36

Mike Gesicki

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Jake Tonges

Mike Gesicki

Head to Head

8.5 PPG4.7 PPG

9 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jake Tonges: Tier 2 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #15 at the position). Mike Gesicki: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #36 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Jake Tonges is producing at 39% of elite pace and Mike Gesicki at 21%. That ranking gap means Jake Tonges carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jake Tonges vs Mike Gesicki: The Full Breakdown

Jake Tonges and Mike Gesicki are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 PPG across 9 games with the San Francisco 49ers, while Mike Gesicki posted 4.7 PPG in 12 appearances for the Cincinnati Bengals.

A 3.8-PPG gap gives Jake Tonges 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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Jake Tonges had 34 catches for 293 yards; Mike Gesicki posted 28 for 307. 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: Jake Tonges is off Week 8 and Mike Gesicki 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

If you can acquire Jake Tonges at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. Mike Gesicki is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jake Tonges (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Mike Gesicki (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Jake Tonges outscored Mike Gesicki by a projected 65 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Mike Gesicki played 12 games in 2025 compared to Jake Tonges's 9. That durability gap means Mike Gesicki contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jake Tonges scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jake Tonges saw 46 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jake Tonges vs Mike Gesicki: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jake Tonges	Mike Gesicki
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.5	4.7
Games Played	9	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	56
Receptions	34	28
Rec/Game	3.8	2.3
Receiving Yards	293	307
Rec Yds/Game	32.6	25.6
Receiving TDs	5	2
Targets	46	42
Target Share/Game	5.1	3.5
Age	27	30
Experience	3 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 6

Summary

Jake Tonges outscored Mike Gesicki by 3.8 PPG in 2025 (8.5 to 4.7). 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jake Tonges or Mike Gesicki in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Tonges has the edge at 8.5 PPG compared to Mike Gesicki's 4.7 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.

Should I draft Jake Tonges or Mike Gesicki in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Jake Tonges is the earlier pick. He averaged 8.5 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Mike Gesicki's 4.7, a 3.8 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Jake Tonges and Mike Gesicki average in 2025?▾

Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Mike Gesicki averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 3.8 points per game.

When are Jake Tonges and Mike Gesicki's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jake Tonges (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Mike Gesicki (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jake Tonges or Mike Gesicki a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jake Tonges outscored Mike Gesicki by 3.8 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.