Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cole Kmet vs Evan EngramWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Evan Engram is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.9 PPG to Cole Kmet's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Evan Engram is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Evan Engram edges Cole Kmet by 0.9 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, Evan Engram 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

TEDenver Broncos#35PPG LEADER

Evan Engram

PPG

4.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

461

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Cole Kmet

Evan Engram

Head to Head

4.0 PPG4.9 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Evan Engram: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #35 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cole Kmet is producing at 18% of elite pace and Evan Engram at 22%. That ranking gap means Evan Engram carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cole Kmet vs Evan Engram: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Cole Kmet and Evan Engram is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.9 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 Evan Engram posted 4.9 with the Denver Broncos 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.

Evan Engram is the volume tight end in this matchup with 50 receptions for 461 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 Evan Engram, but the floor gap is real.

Cole Kmet has his bye in Week 7, and Evan Engram rests in Week 10. 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

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. Evan Engram (age 31) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Evan Engram outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cole Kmet scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Evan Engram saw 76 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Cole Kmet is 4 years younger than Evan Engram (27 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cole Kmet vs Evan Engram: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cole Kmet	Evan Engram
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	4.9
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	64	78
Receptions	30	50
Rec/Game	1.9	3.1
Receiving Yards	347	461
Rec Yds/Game	21.7	28.8
Receiving TDs	2	1
Targets	48	76
Target Share/Game	3.0	4.8
Age	27	31
Experience	6 yrs	8 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Evan Engram holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 4.9 points per game. Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 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 Cole Kmet or Evan Engram in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Evan Engram has the edge at 4.9 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 Evan Engram average in 2025?▾

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Evan Engram averaged 4.9 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are Cole Kmet and Evan Engram's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cole Kmet (CHI) has a bye in Week 7, and Evan Engram (DEN) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cole Kmet or Evan Engram a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Evan Engram outscored Cole Kmet by 0.9 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.