Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cade Stover vs Cole KmetWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Cole Kmet is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.0 PPG to Cade Stover's 3.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Cole Kmet is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Cole Kmet edges Cade Stover by 0.5 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, Cole Kmet 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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TEHouston Texans#99

Cade Stover

PPG

3.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

215

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TEChicago Bears#99PPG LEADER

Cole Kmet

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

347

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Cade Stover

Cole Kmet

Head to Head

3.5 PPG4.0 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Cade Stover: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cade Stover is producing at 16% of elite pace and Cole Kmet at 18%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Cade Stover vs Cole Kmet: The Full Breakdown

Cade Stover (3.5 PPG) and Cole Kmet (4.0 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. Cade Stover played 15 games for the Houston Texans; Cole Kmet suited up 16 times for the Chicago Bears.

A 0.5-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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Cade Stover had 22 catches for 215 yards; Cole Kmet posted 30 for 347. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Cade Stover sits Week 14 while Cole Kmet is off Week 7. 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: Cade Stover (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Cole Kmet (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Cole Kmet outscored Cade Stover by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cole Kmet played 16 games in 2025 compared to Cade Stover's 15. That durability gap means Cole Kmet contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Cole Kmet scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Cole Kmet saw 48 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cade Stover vs Cole Kmet: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cade Stover	Cole Kmet
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.5	4.0
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	53	64
Receptions	22	30
Rec/Game	1.5	1.9
Receiving Yards	215	347
Rec Yds/Game	14.3	21.7
Receiving TDs	1	2
Targets	32	48
Target Share/Game	2.1	3.0
Age	-	27
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Cole Kmet holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 4.0 points per game. Cade Stover averaged 3.5 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 Cade Stover or Cole Kmet in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Cole Kmet has the edge at 4.0 PPG compared to Cade Stover's 3.5 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 Stover and Cole Kmet average in 2025?▾

Cade Stover averaged 3.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Cade Stover and Cole Kmet's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cade Stover (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Cole Kmet (CHI) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cade Stover or Cole Kmet a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Cole Kmet outscored Cade Stover by 0.5 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.