Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cole Kmet vs Tyler ConklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyler Conklin is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.5 PPG to Cole Kmet's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyler Conklin is the better fantasy play this season.

Tyler Conklin has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.5-PPG advantage is real (7.5 to 4.0), and Tyler Conklin's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Cole Kmet is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Cole Kmet and Tyler Conklin 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

TENew York Jets#99PPG LEADER

Tyler Conklin

PPG

7.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

525

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Cole Kmet

Tyler Conklin

Head to Head

4.0 PPG7.5 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Tyler Conklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cole Kmet is producing at 18% of elite pace and Tyler Conklin at 34%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Cole Kmet vs Tyler Conklin: The Full Breakdown

Cole Kmet and Tyler Conklin are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 PPG across 16 games with the Chicago Bears, while Tyler Conklin posted 7.5 PPG in 17 appearances for the New York Jets.

A 3.5-PPG gap gives Tyler Conklin the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Tyler Conklin is the volume tight end in this matchup with 50 receptions for 525 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 Tyler Conklin, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Cole Kmet is off Week 7 and Tyler Conklin Week 12. 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

If you can acquire Tyler Conklin at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. Cole Kmet is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Cole Kmet (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Tyler Conklin (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Tyler Conklin outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 60 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tyler Conklin played 17 games in 2025 compared to Cole Kmet's 16. That durability gap means Tyler Conklin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tyler Conklin scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Tyler Conklin saw 65 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 Tyler Conklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cole Kmet	Tyler Conklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	7.5
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	64	128
Receptions	30	50
Rec/Game	1.9	2.9
Receiving Yards	347	525
Rec Yds/Game	21.7	30.9
Receiving TDs	2	3
Targets	48	65
Target Share/Game	3.0	3.8
Age	27	-
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 12

Summary

Tyler Conklin outscored Cole Kmet by 3.5 PPG in 2025 (7.5 to 4.0). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Cole Kmet vs Tyler Conklin

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 Tyler Conklin

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 Tyler Conklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyler Conklin has the edge at 7.5 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 Tyler Conklin average in 2025?▾

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tyler Conklin averaged 7.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.5 points per game.

When are Cole Kmet and Tyler Conklin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cole Kmet (CHI) has a bye in Week 7, and Tyler Conklin (NYJ) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cole Kmet or Tyler Conklin a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Tyler Conklin outscored Cole Kmet by 3.5 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.