Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cole Kmet vs Oronde Gadsden IIWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Oronde Gadsden II is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.1 PPG to Cole Kmet's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Oronde Gadsden II is the better fantasy play this season.

Oronde Gadsden II is the better play on a neutral week. 7.1 PPG with 664 yards gives a reliable baseline. Cole Kmet at 4.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Oronde Gadsden II higher, but do not fade Cole Kmet entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TEChicago Bears#99

Cole Kmet

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

347

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TELos Angeles Chargers#23PPG LEADER

Oronde Gadsden II

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

664

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Cole Kmet

Oronde Gadsden II

Head to Head

4.0 PPG7.1 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Oronde Gadsden II: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cole Kmet is producing at 18% of elite pace and Oronde Gadsden II at 32%. That ranking gap means Oronde Gadsden II carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cole Kmet vs Oronde Gadsden II: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Cole Kmet and Oronde Gadsden II for your lineup, you are not alone. Cole Kmet finished the 2025 season at 4.0 PPG for the Chicago Bears (16 games), and Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 for the Los Angeles Chargers (15 games).

That 3.1-point weekly advantage for Oronde Gadsden II is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Oronde Gadsden II is the volume tight end in this matchup with 49 receptions for 664 yards, while Cole Kmet profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (2 scores on 30 catches). In weeks where Cole Kmet finds the end zone he out-scores Oronde Gadsden II, but the floor gap is real.

Both share a Week 7 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Oronde Gadsden II is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Cole Kmet is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Cole Kmet (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Oronde Gadsden II (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Oronde Gadsden II outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cole Kmet played 16 games in 2025 compared to Oronde Gadsden II's 15. That durability gap means Cole Kmet contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Oronde Gadsden II scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Oronde Gadsden II saw 69 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Oronde Gadsden II is 5 years younger than Cole Kmet (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cole Kmet vs Oronde Gadsden II: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cole Kmet	Oronde Gadsden II
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	7.1
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	64	107
Receptions	30	49
Rec/Game	1.9	3.3
Receiving Yards	347	664
Rec Yds/Game	21.7	44.3
Receiving TDs	2	3
Targets	48	69
Target Share/Game	3.0	4.6
Age	27	22
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Oronde Gadsden II at 7.1 PPG, 3.1 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 Oronde Gadsden II in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Oronde Gadsden II has the edge at 7.1 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 Oronde Gadsden II average in 2025?▾

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

Do Cole Kmet and Oronde Gadsden II share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Cole Kmet and Oronde Gadsden II share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Cole Kmet or Oronde Gadsden II a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Oronde Gadsden II outscored Cole Kmet by 3.1 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.