Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

George Kittle vs Travis KelceWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

George Kittle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Travis Kelce's 9.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

George Kittle is the better fantasy play this season.

George Kittle is the better play on a neutral week. 12.1 PPG with 625 yards gives a reliable baseline. Travis Kelce at 9.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft George Kittle higher, but do not fade Travis Kelce entirely.

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

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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

TEKansas City Chiefs#10

Travis Kelce

PPG

9.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

851

Rec TDs

Targets

108

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

George Kittle

Travis Kelce

Head to Head

12.1 PPG9.1 PPG

11 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

George Kittle: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #3 at the position). Travis Kelce: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, George Kittle is producing at 55% of elite pace and Travis Kelce at 41%. That ranking gap means George Kittle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

George Kittle vs Travis Kelce: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between George Kittle and Travis Kelce for your lineup, you are not alone. George Kittle finished the 2025 season at 12.1 PPG for the San Francisco 49ers (11 games), and Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 for the Kansas City Chiefs (17 games).

That 3.0-point weekly advantage for George Kittle 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.

Travis Kelce is the volume tight end in this matchup with 76 receptions for 851 yards, while George Kittle profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (7 scores on 57 catches). In weeks where George Kittle finds the end zone he out-scores Travis Kelce, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: George Kittle sits Week 8 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

George Kittle is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Travis Kelce 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. Travis Kelce (age 36) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•George Kittle outscored Travis Kelce by a projected 51 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Travis Kelce played 17 games in 2025 compared to George Kittle's 11. That durability gap means Travis Kelce 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.
•Travis Kelce saw 108 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•George Kittle is 4 years younger than Travis Kelce (32 vs 36), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

George Kittle vs Travis Kelce: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	George Kittle	Travis Kelce
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	9.1
Games Played	11	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	133	155
Receptions	57	76
Rec/Game	5.2	4.5
Receiving Yards	628	851
Rec Yds/Game	57.1	50.1
Receiving TDs	7	5
Targets	69	108
Target Share/Game	6.3	6.4
Age	32	36
Experience	8 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor George Kittle at 12.1 PPG, 3.0 points per game above Travis Kelce's 9.1. 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 George Kittle or Travis Kelce in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, George Kittle has the edge at 12.1 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 George Kittle and Travis Kelce average in 2025?▾

George Kittle averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.0 points per game.

When are George Kittle and Travis Kelce's bye weeks in 2026?▾

George Kittle (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Travis Kelce (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is George Kittle or Travis Kelce a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

George Kittle outscored Travis Kelce by 3.0 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.