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Head to Head

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Cole Kmet vs Noah FantWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Noah Fant 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

Noah Fant is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Noah Fant 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
16
Rec
30
Rec Yds
347
Rec TDs
2
Targets
48
Bye
Week 7
TECincinnati Bengals#39PPG LEADER
Noah Fant
PPG
4.4
Games
13
Rec
34
Rec Yds
288
Rec TDs
3
Targets
41
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cole Kmet
Noah Fant

Head to Head

4.0 PPG4.4 PPG
16 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Noah Fant: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #39 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cole Kmet is producing at 18% of elite pace and Noah Fant at 20%. That ranking gap means Noah Fant carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cole Kmet vs Noah Fant: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Cole Kmet finished the 2025 season at 4.0 PPG over 16 games with the Chicago Bears, while Noah Fant clocked in at 4.4 across 13 appearances for the Cincinnati Bengals. A 0.4-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Cole Kmet had 30 catches for 347 yards; Noah Fant posted 34 for 288. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

One scheduling note: Cole Kmet is off Week 7 and Noah Fant Week 6. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Noah Fant (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Noah Fant outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Cole Kmet played 16 games in 2025 compared to Noah Fant's 13. That durability gap means Cole Kmet contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Noah Fant scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 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 Noah Fant: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatCole KmetNoah Fant
PPG (Half-PPR)4.04.4
Games Played1613
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)6457
Receptions3034
Rec/Game1.92.6
Receiving Yards347288
Rec Yds/Game21.722.2
Receiving TDs23
Targets4841
Target Share/Game3.03.2
Age2728
Experience6 yrs6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Noah Fant at 4.4 PPG, 0.4 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 Noah Fant in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Noah Fant 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 Noah Fant average in 2025?

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Noah Fant averaged 4.4 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Cole Kmet and Noah Fant's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Cole Kmet or Noah Fant a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Noah Fant 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.

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