Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cole Kmet vs Theo JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Theo Johnson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.0 PPG to Cole Kmet's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Theo Johnson is the better fantasy play this season.

Theo Johnson is the better play on a neutral week. 7.0 PPG with 528 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 Theo Johnson 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

TENew York Giants#24PPG LEADER

Theo Johnson

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Cole Kmet

Theo Johnson

Head to Head

4.0 PPG7.0 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Theo Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cole Kmet is producing at 18% of elite pace and Theo Johnson at 32%. That ranking gap means Theo Johnson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cole Kmet vs Theo Johnson: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Cole Kmet and Theo Johnson is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Chicago Bears tight end put up 4.0 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Theo Johnson of the New York Giants averaged 7.0 in 15. A 3.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.0 points favors Theo Johnson, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Cole Kmet had 30 catches for 347 yards; Theo Johnson posted 45 for 528. 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 Theo Johnson is off Week 8. 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

Theo Johnson 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. Theo Johnson (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Theo Johnson outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 51 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cole Kmet played 16 games in 2025 compared to Theo Johnson's 15. That durability gap means Cole Kmet contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Theo Johnson scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Theo Johnson saw 74 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 Theo Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cole Kmet	Theo Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	7.0
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	64	105
Receptions	30	45
Rec/Game	1.9	3.0
Receiving Yards	347	528
Rec Yds/Game	21.7	35.2
Receiving TDs	2	5
Targets	48	74
Target Share/Game	3.0	4.9
Age	27	25
Experience	6 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 8

Summary

7.0 PPG for Theo Johnson versus 4.0 for Cole Kmet in 2025. The baseline favors Theo Johnson, 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 Theo Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Theo Johnson has the edge at 7.0 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 Theo Johnson average in 2025?▾

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.0 points per game.

When are Cole Kmet and Theo Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cole Kmet (CHI) has a bye in Week 7, and Theo Johnson (NYG) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cole Kmet or Theo Johnson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Theo Johnson outscored Cole Kmet by 3.0 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.