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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Cole Kmet vs Dalton SchultzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dalton Schultz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.0 PPG to Cole Kmet's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dalton Schultz is the better fantasy play this season.

Dalton Schultz is the better play on a neutral week. 8.0 PPG with 777 yards gives a reliable baseline. Cole Kmet at 4.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Dalton Schultz higher, but do not fade Cole Kmet entirely.

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

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TEChicago Bears#99
Cole Kmet
PPG
4.0
Games
16
Rec
30
Rec Yds
347
Rec TDs
2
Targets
48
Bye
Week 7
TEHouston Texans#18PPG LEADER
Dalton Schultz
PPG
8.0
Games
17
Rec
82
Rec Yds
777
Rec TDs
3
Targets
106
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cole Kmet
Dalton Schultz

Head to Head

4.0 PPG8.0 PPG
16 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Dalton Schultz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #18 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cole Kmet is producing at 18% of elite pace and Dalton Schultz at 36%. That ranking gap means Dalton Schultz carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cole Kmet vs Dalton Schultz: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Cole Kmet and Dalton Schultz is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Chicago Bears tight end put up 4.0 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Dalton Schultz of the Houston Texans averaged 8.0 in 17. A 4.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.0 points favors Dalton Schultz, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Dalton Schultz is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 777 yards, while Cole Kmet profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (2 scores on 30 catches). In weeks where Cole Kmet finds the end zone he out-scores Dalton Schultz, but the floor gap is real.

Cole Kmet has his bye in Week 7, and Dalton Schultz rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Dalton Schultz is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Cole Kmet is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Cole Kmet (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Dalton Schultz (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Dalton Schultz outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Dalton Schultz played 17 games in 2025 compared to Cole Kmet's 16. That durability gap means Dalton Schultz contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Dalton Schultz scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Dalton Schultz saw 106 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cole Kmet vs Dalton Schultz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCole KmetDalton Schultz
PPG (Half-PPR)4.08.0
Games Played1617
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)64136
Receptions3082
Rec/Game1.94.8
Receiving Yards347777
Rec Yds/Game21.745.7
Receiving TDs23
Targets48106
Target Share/Game3.06.2
Age2729
Experience6 yrs7 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 8

Summary

8.0 PPG for Dalton Schultz versus 4.0 for Cole Kmet in 2025. The baseline favors Dalton Schultz, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cole Kmet or Dalton Schultz in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Dalton Schultz has the edge at 8.0 PPG compared to Cole Kmet's 4.0 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 Cole Kmet and Dalton Schultz average in 2025?

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Dalton Schultz averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.0 points per game.

When are Cole Kmet and Dalton Schultz's bye weeks in 2026?

Cole Kmet (CHI) has a bye in Week 7, and Dalton Schultz (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cole Kmet or Dalton Schultz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Dalton Schultz outscored Cole Kmet by 4.0 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.

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