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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Evan Engram vs Travis KelceWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Travis Kelce is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.1 PPG to Evan Engram's 4.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Travis Kelce is the better fantasy play this season.

Travis Kelce is the better play on a neutral week. 9.1 PPG with 852 yards gives a reliable baseline. Evan Engram at 4.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Travis Kelce higher, but do not fade Evan Engram entirely.

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

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TEDenver Broncos#35
Evan Engram
PPG
4.9
Games
16
Rec
50
Rec Yds
461
Rec TDs
1
Targets
76
Bye
Week 10
TEKansas City Chiefs#10PPG LEADER
Travis Kelce
PPG
9.1
Games
17
Rec
76
Rec Yds
851
Rec TDs
5
Targets
108
Bye
Week 5

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Evan Engram
Travis Kelce

Head to Head

4.9 PPG9.1 PPG
16 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Evan Engram: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #35 at the position). Travis Kelce: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Evan Engram is producing at 22% of elite pace and Travis Kelce at 41%. That ranking gap means Travis Kelce carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Evan Engram vs Travis Kelce: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Evan Engram and Travis Kelce is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Denver Broncos tight end put up 4.9 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs averaged 9.1 in 17. A 4.2-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.2 points favors Travis Kelce, 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.

Travis Kelce is the volume tight end in this matchup with 76 receptions for 851 yards, while Evan Engram profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 50 catches). In weeks where Evan Engram finds the end zone he out-scores Travis Kelce, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Evan Engram is off Week 10 and Travis Kelce Week 5. 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

Travis Kelce is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Evan Engram is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Evan Engram (age 31) 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?

  • Travis Kelce outscored Evan Engram by a projected 71 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Travis Kelce played 17 games in 2025 compared to Evan Engram's 16. That durability gap means Travis Kelce contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Travis Kelce scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 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.
  • Evan Engram is 5 years younger than Travis Kelce (31 vs 36), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Evan Engram vs Travis Kelce: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatEvan EngramTravis Kelce
PPG (Half-PPR)4.99.1
Games Played1617
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)78155
Receptions5076
Rec/Game3.14.5
Receiving Yards461851
Rec Yds/Game28.850.1
Receiving TDs15
Targets76108
Target Share/Game4.86.4
Age3136
Experience8 yrs12 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 5

Summary

9.1 PPG for Travis Kelce versus 4.9 for Evan Engram in 2025. The baseline favors Travis Kelce, 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 Evan Engram or Travis Kelce in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Travis Kelce has the edge at 9.1 PPG compared to Evan Engram's 4.9 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 Evan Engram and Travis Kelce average in 2025?

Evan Engram averaged 4.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.2 points per game.

When are Evan Engram and Travis Kelce's bye weeks in 2026?

Evan Engram (DEN) has a bye in Week 10, and Travis Kelce (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Evan Engram or Travis Kelce a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Travis Kelce outscored Evan Engram by 4.2 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.

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