Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jake Tonges vs Travis KelceWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Travis Kelce is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.1 PPG to Jake Tonges's 8.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Travis Kelce is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Travis Kelce edges Jake Tonges by 0.6 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, Travis Kelce 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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TESan Francisco 49ers#15

Jake Tonges

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

293

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

TEKansas City Chiefs#10PPG LEADER

Travis Kelce

PPG

9.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

851

Rec TDs

Targets

108

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Jake Tonges

Travis Kelce

Head to Head

8.5 PPG9.1 PPG

9 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Jake Tonges: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #15 at the position). Travis Kelce: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Jake Tonges is producing at 39% 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.

Jake Tonges vs Travis Kelce: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Jake Tonges and Travis Kelce is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.6 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 PPG with the San Francisco 49ers across 9 games, and Travis Kelce posted 9.1 with the Kansas City Chiefs in 17.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Travis Kelce is the volume tight end in this matchup with 76 receptions for 851 yards, while Jake Tonges profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (5 scores on 34 catches). In weeks where Jake Tonges finds the end zone he out-scores Travis Kelce, but the floor gap is real.

Jake Tonges has his bye in Week 8, and Travis Kelce rests in Week 5. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Jake Tonges (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. 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 Jake Tonges by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Travis Kelce played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jake Tonges's 9. That durability gap means Travis Kelce contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jake Tonges scored 5 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.
•Jake Tonges is 10 years younger than Travis Kelce (26 vs 36), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jake Tonges vs Travis Kelce: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jake Tonges	Travis Kelce
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.5	9.1
Games Played	9	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	155
Receptions	34	76
Rec/Game	3.8	4.5
Receiving Yards	293	851
Rec Yds/Game	32.6	50.1
Receiving TDs	5	5
Targets	46	108
Target Share/Game	5.1	6.4
Age	26	36
Experience	3 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Travis Kelce holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.1 points per game. Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 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 Jake Tonges or Travis Kelce in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Travis Kelce has the edge at 9.1 PPG compared to Jake Tonges's 8.5 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 Jake Tonges and Travis Kelce average in 2025?▾

Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Jake Tonges and Travis Kelce's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jake Tonges (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 Jake Tonges or Travis Kelce a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Travis Kelce outscored Jake Tonges by 0.6 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.