Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cole Kmet vs Ja'Tavion SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ja'Tavion Sanders is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.2 PPG to Cole Kmet's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ja'Tavion Sanders is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Cole Kmet are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.2-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

TECarolina Panthers#99PPG LEADER

Ja'Tavion Sanders

PPG

4.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

308

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Cole Kmet

Ja'Tavion Sanders

Head to Head

4.0 PPG4.2 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Ja'Tavion Sanders: 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders at 19%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Cole Kmet vs Ja'Tavion Sanders: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Cole Kmet and Ja'Tavion Sanders is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.2 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders posted 4.2 with the Carolina Panthers in 14.

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; Ja'Tavion Sanders posted 32 for 308. 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders rests in Week 11. 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. Ja'Tavion Sanders (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Ja'Tavion Sanders outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cole Kmet played 16 games in 2025 compared to Ja'Tavion Sanders'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 Ja'Tavion Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cole Kmet	Ja'Tavion Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	4.2
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	64	59
Receptions	30	32
Rec/Game	1.9	2.3
Receiving Yards	347	308
Rec Yds/Game	21.7	22.0
Receiving TDs	2	1
Targets	48	45
Target Share/Game	3.0	3.2
Age	27	-
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Ja'Tavion Sanders at 4.2 PPG, 0.2 points per game above Cole Kmet's 4.0. 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ja'Tavion Sanders has the edge at 4.2 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 Ja'Tavion Sanders average in 2025?▾

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Ja'Tavion Sanders averaged 4.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Cole Kmet and Ja'Tavion Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cole Kmet (CHI) has a bye in Week 7, and Ja'Tavion Sanders (CAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cole Kmet or Ja'Tavion Sanders a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Ja'Tavion Sanders outscored Cole Kmet by 0.2 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.