Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cole Kmet vs Gunnar HelmWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Gunnar Helm is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.4 PPG to Cole Kmet's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Gunnar Helm is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Gunnar Helm and Cole Kmet are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.4-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

TETennessee Titans#40PPG LEADER

Gunnar Helm

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

357

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Cole Kmet

Gunnar Helm

Head to Head

4.0 PPG4.4 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cole Kmet is producing at 18% of elite pace and Gunnar Helm at 20%. That ranking gap means Gunnar Helm carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cole Kmet vs Gunnar Helm: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Cole Kmet and Gunnar Helm is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.4 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 Gunnar Helm posted 4.4 with the Tennessee Titans 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; Gunnar Helm posted 44 for 357. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Cole Kmet has his bye in Week 7, and Gunnar Helm rests in Week 9. 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. Gunnar Helm (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Gunnar Helm outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 7 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.
•Gunnar Helm saw 55 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Gunnar Helm is 4 years younger than Cole Kmet (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cole Kmet vs Gunnar Helm: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cole Kmet	Gunnar Helm
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	4.4
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	64	70
Receptions	30	44
Rec/Game	1.9	2.8
Receiving Yards	347	357
Rec Yds/Game	21.7	22.3
Receiving TDs	2	2
Targets	48	55
Target Share/Game	3.0	3.4
Age	27	23
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 9

Summary

4.4 PPG for Gunnar Helm versus 4.0 for Cole Kmet in 2025. The baseline favors Gunnar Helm, 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 Gunnar Helm in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Gunnar Helm has the edge at 4.4 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 Gunnar Helm average in 2025?▾

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Cole Kmet and Gunnar Helm's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cole Kmet (CHI) has a bye in Week 7, and Gunnar Helm (TEN) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cole Kmet or Gunnar Helm a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Gunnar Helm outscored Cole Kmet by 0.4 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.