Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cade Otton vs George KittleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

George Kittle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Cade Otton's 6.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

George Kittle is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. George Kittle outscored Cade Otton by 5.9 PPG in 2025 with 7 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, George Kittle is the clear pick. Cade Otton profiles as a matchup-dependent tight end who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TETampa Bay Buccaneers#29

Cade Otton

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

572

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

TESan Francisco 49ers#3PPG LEADER

George Kittle

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

628

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Cade Otton

George Kittle

Head to Head

6.2 PPG12.1 PPG

15 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Cade Otton: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #29 at the position). George Kittle: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #3 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cade Otton is producing at 28% of elite pace and George Kittle at 55%. That ranking gap means George Kittle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cade Otton vs George Kittle: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Cade Otton and George Kittle for your lineup, you are not alone. Cade Otton finished the 2025 season at 6.2 PPG for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (15 games), and George Kittle averaged 12.1 for the San Francisco 49ers (11 games).

That 5.9-point weekly advantage for George Kittle 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. Cade Otton had 59 catches for 572 yards; George Kittle posted 57 for 628. 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: Cade Otton is off Week 10 and George Kittle Week 8. 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

George Kittle is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Cade Otton is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Cade Otton (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. George Kittle (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•George Kittle outscored Cade Otton by a projected 100 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cade Otton played 15 games in 2025 compared to George Kittle's 11. That durability gap means Cade Otton contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•George Kittle scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Cade Otton saw 81 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Cade Otton is 5 years younger than George Kittle (27 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cade Otton vs George Kittle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cade Otton	George Kittle
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.2	12.1
Games Played	15	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	93	133
Receptions	59	57
Rec/Game	3.9	5.2
Receiving Yards	572	628
Rec Yds/Game	38.1	57.1
Receiving TDs	1	7
Targets	81	69
Target Share/Game	5.4	6.3
Age	27	32
Experience	3 yrs	8 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor George Kittle at 12.1 PPG, 5.9 points per game above Cade Otton's 6.2. 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 Cade Otton or George Kittle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, George Kittle has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Cade Otton's 6.2 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 Cade Otton and George Kittle average in 2025?▾

Cade Otton averaged 6.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. George Kittle averaged 12.1 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 5.9 points per game.

When are Cade Otton and George Kittle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cade Otton (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and George Kittle (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cade Otton or George Kittle a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

George Kittle outscored Cade Otton by 5.9 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.