Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jonnu Smith vs Travis KelceWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Travis Kelce is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.1 PPG to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 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 Jonnu Smith by 0.9 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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TEMiami Dolphins#99

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

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

Jonnu Smith

Travis Kelce

Head to Head

8.2 PPG9.1 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Travis Kelce: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Jonnu Smith is producing at 37% 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.

Jonnu Smith vs Travis Kelce: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Jonnu Smith finished the 2025 season at 8.2 PPG over 15 games with the Miami Dolphins, while Travis Kelce clocked in at 9.1 across 17 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs. A 0.9-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Travis Kelce is the volume tight end in this matchup with 76 receptions for 851 yards, while Jonnu Smith profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (4 scores on 52 catches). In weeks where Jonnu Smith finds the end zone he out-scores Travis Kelce, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Jonnu Smith is off Week 6 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

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: Jonnu Smith (age 27) 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 Jonnu Smith by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Travis Kelce played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jonnu Smith's 15. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jonnu Smith vs Travis Kelce: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jonnu Smith	Travis Kelce
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	9.1
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	155
Receptions	52	76
Rec/Game	3.5	4.5
Receiving Yards	562	851
Rec Yds/Game	37.5	50.1
Receiving TDs	4	5
Targets	68	108
Target Share/Game	4.5	6.4
Age	-	36
Experience	-	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 5

Summary

Travis Kelce outscored Jonnu Smith by 0.9 PPG in 2025 (9.1 to 8.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jonnu Smith or Travis Kelce in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Travis Kelce has the edge at 9.1 PPG compared to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 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 Jonnu Smith and Travis Kelce average in 2025?▾

Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are Jonnu Smith and Travis Kelce's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith (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 Jonnu Smith or Travis Kelce a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Travis Kelce outscored Jonnu Smith by 0.9 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.