Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cole Kmet vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Cole Kmet's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy play this season.

Zach Ertz is the better play on a neutral week. 7.8 PPG with 504 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 Zach Ertz 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

TEWashington Commanders#20PPG LEADER

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Cole Kmet

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

4.0 PPG7.8 PPG

16 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Cole Kmet: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Cole Kmet is producing at 18% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. That ranking gap means Zach Ertz carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cole Kmet vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Cole Kmet and Zach Ertz for your lineup, you are not alone. Cole Kmet finished the 2025 season at 4.0 PPG for the Chicago Bears (16 games), and Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 for the Washington Commanders (13 games).

That 3.8-point weekly advantage for Zach Ertz 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.

Zach Ertz is the volume tight end in this matchup with 50 receptions for 504 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 Zach Ertz, 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

Zach Ertz 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. Zach Ertz (age 35) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Zach Ertz outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 65 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cole Kmet played 16 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Cole Kmet contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Zach Ertz scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Zach Ertz saw 72 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Cole Kmet is 8 years younger than Zach Ertz (27 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cole Kmet vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cole Kmet	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	7.8
Games Played	16	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	64	101
Receptions	30	50
Rec/Game	1.9	3.8
Receiving Yards	347	504
Rec Yds/Game	21.7	38.8
Receiving TDs	2	4
Targets	48	72
Target Share/Game	3.0	5.5
Age	27	35
Experience	6 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Zach Ertz at 7.8 PPG, 3.8 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 Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zach Ertz has the edge at 7.8 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 Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 3.8 points per game.

Do Cole Kmet and Zach Ertz share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Cole Kmet and Zach Ertz 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 Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Zach Ertz outscored Cole Kmet by 3.8 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.