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Head to Head

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Cole Kmet vs Mason TaylorWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Mason Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.1 PPG to Cole Kmet's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Mason Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Mason Taylor and Cole Kmet are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-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
16
Rec
30
Rec Yds
347
Rec TDs
2
Targets
48
Bye
Week 7
TENew York Jets#34PPG LEADER
Mason Taylor
PPG
5.1
Games
13
Rec
44
Rec Yds
369
Rec TDs
1
Targets
65
Bye
Week 13

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cole Kmet
Mason Taylor

Head to Head

4.0 PPG5.1 PPG
16 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Mason Taylor: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #34 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cole Kmet is producing at 18% of elite pace and Mason Taylor at 23%. That ranking gap means Mason Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cole Kmet vs Mason Taylor: The Full Breakdown

Cole Kmet (4.0 PPG) and Mason Taylor (5.1 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; Mason Taylor suited up 13 times for the New York Jets.

A 1.1-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; Mason Taylor posted 44 for 369. 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 Mason Taylor is off Week 13. 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. Mason Taylor (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Mason Taylor outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Cole Kmet played 16 games in 2025 compared to Mason Taylor's 13. 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.
  • Mason Taylor saw 65 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
  • Mason Taylor is 5 years younger than Cole Kmet (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cole Kmet vs Mason Taylor: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCole KmetMason Taylor
PPG (Half-PPR)4.05.1
Games Played1613
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)6466
Receptions3044
Rec/Game1.93.4
Receiving Yards347369
Rec Yds/Game21.728.4
Receiving TDs21
Targets4865
Target Share/Game3.05.0
Age2722
Experience6 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 13

Summary

5.1 PPG for Mason Taylor versus 4.0 for Cole Kmet in 2025. The baseline favors Mason Taylor, 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 Mason Taylor in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Mason Taylor has the edge at 5.1 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 Mason Taylor average in 2025?

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Mason Taylor averaged 5.1 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Cole Kmet and Mason Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?

Cole Kmet (CHI) has a bye in Week 7, and Mason Taylor (NYJ) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cole Kmet or Mason Taylor a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Mason Taylor outscored Cole Kmet by 1.1 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.

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