Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cole Kmet vs Dawson KnoxWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dawson Knox is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.4 PPG to Cole Kmet's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dawson Knox is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Dawson Knox edges Cole Kmet by 1.4 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, Dawson Knox 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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TEChicago Bears#99

Cole Kmet

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

347

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TEBuffalo Bills#33PPG LEADER

Dawson Knox

PPG

5.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

417

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Cole Kmet

Dawson Knox

Head to Head

4.0 PPG5.4 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cole Kmet is producing at 18% of elite pace and Dawson Knox at 25%. That ranking gap means Dawson Knox carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cole Kmet vs Dawson Knox: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Cole Kmet and Dawson Knox is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.4 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 PPG with the Chicago Bears across 16 games, and Dawson Knox posted 5.4 with the Buffalo Bills in 16.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Cole Kmet had 30 catches for 347 yards; Dawson Knox posted 36 for 417. 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 thing to note: both players share a Week 7 bye. That means you need a backup plan at tight end for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Cole Kmet (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Dawson Knox (age 29) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Dawson Knox outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dawson Knox scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Dawson Knox saw 49 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Both players share a Week 7 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cole Kmet vs Dawson Knox: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cole Kmet	Dawson Knox
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	5.4
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	64	86
Receptions	30	36
Rec/Game	1.9	2.3
Receiving Yards	347	417
Rec Yds/Game	21.7	26.1
Receiving TDs	2	4
Targets	48	49
Target Share/Game	3.0	3.1
Age	27	29
Experience	6 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

Dawson Knox outscored Cole Kmet by 1.4 PPG in 2025 (5.4 to 4.0). 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 Cole Kmet or Dawson Knox in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dawson Knox has the edge at 5.4 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 Dawson Knox average in 2025?▾

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

Do Cole Kmet and Dawson Knox share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Cole Kmet and Dawson Knox share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Cole Kmet or Dawson Knox a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Dawson Knox outscored Cole Kmet by 1.4 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.