Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cole Kmet vs Mike GesickiWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Mike Gesicki is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 4.7 PPG to Cole Kmet's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Mike Gesicki is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Mike Gesicki and Cole Kmet are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.7-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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Cole Kmet and Mike Gesicki in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TEChicago Bears#99

Cole Kmet

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

347

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TECincinnati Bengals#36PPG LEADER

Mike Gesicki

PPG

4.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

307

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Cole Kmet

Mike Gesicki

Head to Head

4.0 PPG4.7 PPG

16 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Mike Gesicki: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #36 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cole Kmet is producing at 18% of elite pace and Mike Gesicki at 21%. That ranking gap means Mike Gesicki carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cole Kmet vs Mike Gesicki: The Full Breakdown

Cole Kmet (4.0 PPG) and Mike Gesicki (4.7 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; Mike Gesicki suited up 12 times for the Cincinnati Bengals.

A 0.7-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; Mike Gesicki posted 28 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 Mike Gesicki is off Week 6. 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. Mike Gesicki (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Mike Gesicki outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cole Kmet played 16 games in 2025 compared to Mike Gesicki's 12. 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 Mike Gesicki: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cole Kmet	Mike Gesicki
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	4.7
Games Played	16	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	64	56
Receptions	30	28
Rec/Game	1.9	2.3
Receiving Yards	347	307
Rec Yds/Game	21.7	25.6
Receiving TDs	2	2
Targets	48	42
Target Share/Game	3.0	3.5
Age	27	30
Experience	6 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Mike Gesicki at 4.7 PPG, 0.7 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Cole Kmet vs Mike Gesicki

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Cole Kmet vs Mike Gesicki

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cole Kmet or Mike Gesicki in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Mike Gesicki has the edge at 4.7 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 Mike Gesicki average in 2025?▾

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Mike Gesicki averaged 4.7 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Cole Kmet and Mike Gesicki's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cole Kmet (CHI) has a bye in Week 7, and Mike Gesicki (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cole Kmet or Mike Gesicki a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Mike Gesicki outscored Cole Kmet by 0.7 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.