Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

George Kittle vs Theo JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

George Kittle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Theo Johnson's 7.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

George Kittle is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. George Kittle outscored Theo Johnson by 5.1 PPG in 2025 with 7 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, George Kittle is the clear pick. Theo Johnson profiles as a matchup-dependent tight end who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TESan Francisco 49ers#3PPG LEADER

George Kittle

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

628

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

TENew York Giants#24

Theo Johnson

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

George Kittle

Theo Johnson

Head to Head

12.1 PPG7.0 PPG

11 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

George Kittle: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #3 at the position). Theo Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, George Kittle is producing at 55% of elite pace and Theo Johnson at 32%. That ranking gap means George Kittle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

George Kittle vs Theo Johnson: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between George Kittle and Theo Johnson is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The San Francisco 49ers tight end put up 12.1 PPG in 2025 over 11 games; Theo Johnson of the New York Giants averaged 7.0 in 15. A 5.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.1 points favors George Kittle, 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. George Kittle had 57 catches for 628 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.

Both share a Week 8 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

George Kittle is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Theo Johnson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: George Kittle (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Theo Johnson (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•George Kittle outscored Theo Johnson by a projected 87 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Theo Johnson played 15 games in 2025 compared to George Kittle's 11. That durability gap means Theo Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•George Kittle scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 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.
•Theo Johnson is 7 years younger than George Kittle (25 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

George Kittle vs Theo Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	George Kittle	Theo Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	7.0
Games Played	11	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	133	105
Receptions	57	45
Rec/Game	5.2	3.0
Receiving Yards	628	528
Rec Yds/Game	57.1	35.2
Receiving TDs	7	5
Targets	69	74
Target Share/Game	6.3	4.9
Age	32	25
Experience	8 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 8

Summary

12.1 PPG for George Kittle versus 7.0 for Theo Johnson in 2025. The baseline favors George Kittle, 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 George Kittle or Theo Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, George Kittle has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Theo Johnson's 7.0 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 George Kittle and Theo Johnson average in 2025?▾

George Kittle averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 5.1 points per game.

Do George Kittle and Theo Johnson share a bye week?▾

Yes, both George Kittle and Theo Johnson share a Week 8 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is George Kittle or Theo Johnson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

George Kittle outscored Theo Johnson by 5.1 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.