Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cole Kmet vs Isaiah LikelyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Cole Kmet is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.0 PPG to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Cole Kmet is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Cole Kmet and Isaiah Likely are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-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#99PPG LEADER

Cole Kmet

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

347

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TENew York Giants#99

Isaiah Likely

PPG

3.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Cole Kmet

Isaiah Likely

Head to Head

4.0 PPG3.4 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Isaiah Likely: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cole Kmet is producing at 18% of elite pace and Isaiah Likely at 15%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Cole Kmet vs Isaiah Likely: The Full Breakdown

Cole Kmet (4.0 PPG) and Isaiah Likely (3.4 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. Cole Kmet played 16 games for the Chicago Bears; Isaiah Likely suited up 14 times for the New York Giants.

A 0.6-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. Cole Kmet had 30 catches for 347 yards; Isaiah Likely posted 27 for 307. 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: Cole Kmet sits Week 7 while Isaiah Likely is off Week 11. 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: Cole Kmet (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Isaiah Likely (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Cole Kmet outscored Isaiah Likely by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cole Kmet played 16 games in 2025 compared to Isaiah Likely's 14. 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

Cole Kmet vs Isaiah Likely: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cole Kmet	Isaiah Likely
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	3.4
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	64	48
Receptions	30	27
Rec/Game	1.9	1.9
Receiving Yards	347	307
Rec Yds/Game	21.7	21.9
Receiving TDs	2	1
Targets	48	36
Target Share/Game	3.0	2.6
Age	27	26
Experience	6 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Cole Kmet at 4.0 PPG, 0.6 points per game above Isaiah Likely's 3.4. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cole Kmet or Isaiah Likely in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Cole Kmet has the edge at 4.0 PPG compared to Isaiah Likely's 3.4 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 Isaiah Likely average in 2025?▾

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Isaiah Likely averaged 3.4 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Cole Kmet and Isaiah Likely's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cole Kmet (CHI) has a bye in Week 7, and Isaiah Likely (NYG) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cole Kmet or Isaiah Likely a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Cole Kmet outscored Isaiah Likely by 0.6 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.