Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darren Waller vs Travis KelceWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darren Waller is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Travis Kelce's 9.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darren Waller is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Darren Waller edges Travis Kelce by 0.5 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Darren Waller goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEMiami Dolphins#8PPG LEADER

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

TEKansas City Chiefs#10

Travis Kelce

PPG

9.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

851

Rec TDs

Targets

108

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Darren Waller

Travis Kelce

Head to Head

9.6 PPG9.1 PPG

8 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Travis Kelce: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Darren Waller is producing at 44% of elite pace and Travis Kelce at 41%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Darren Waller vs Travis Kelce: The Full Breakdown

Darren Waller (9.6 PPG) and Travis Kelce (9.1 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Darren Waller played 8 games for the Miami Dolphins; Travis Kelce suited up 17 times for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 0.5-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Travis Kelce is the volume tight end in this matchup with 76 receptions for 851 yards, while Darren Waller profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (6 scores on 24 catches). In weeks where Darren Waller finds the end zone he out-scores Travis Kelce, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Darren Waller sits Week 6 while Travis Kelce is off Week 5. 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

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: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Travis Kelce (age 36) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Darren Waller outscored Travis Kelce by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Travis Kelce played 17 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Travis Kelce contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Darren Waller scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Travis Kelce saw 108 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darren Waller vs Travis Kelce: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darren Waller	Travis Kelce
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	9.1
Games Played	8	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	155
Receptions	24	76
Rec/Game	3.0	4.5
Receiving Yards	283	851
Rec Yds/Game	35.4	50.1
Receiving TDs	6	5
Targets	34	108
Target Share/Game	4.3	6.4
Age	33	36
Experience	10 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Darren Waller holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.6 points per game. Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Darren Waller or Travis Kelce in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Darren Waller has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Travis Kelce's 9.1 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 Darren Waller and Travis Kelce average in 2025?▾

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Darren Waller and Travis Kelce's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Travis Kelce (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darren Waller or Travis Kelce a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Darren Waller outscored Travis Kelce by 0.5 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.