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Travis Kelce vs Tyler ConklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Travis Kelce is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.1 PPG to Tyler Conklin's 7.5 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. Tyler Conklin at 7.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Travis Kelce higher, but do not fade Tyler Conklin entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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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
TENew York Jets#99
Tyler Conklin
PPG
7.5
Games
17
Rec
50
Rec Yds
525
Rec TDs
3
Targets
65
Bye
Week 12

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Travis Kelce
Tyler Conklin

Head to Head

9.1 PPG7.5 PPG
17 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Travis Kelce: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #10 at the position). Tyler Conklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Travis Kelce is producing at 41% of elite pace and Tyler Conklin at 34%. That ranking gap means Travis Kelce carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Travis Kelce vs Tyler Conklin: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Travis Kelce and Tyler Conklin is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end put up 9.1 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Tyler Conklin of the New York Jets averaged 7.5 in 17. A 1.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.6 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 Tyler Conklin profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 50 catches). In weeks where Tyler Conklin finds the end zone he out-scores Travis Kelce, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Travis Kelce sits Week 5 while Tyler Conklin is off Week 12. 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

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: Travis Kelce (age 36) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Tyler Conklin (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Travis Kelce outscored Tyler Conklin by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • 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

Travis Kelce vs Tyler Conklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatTravis KelceTyler Conklin
PPG (Half-PPR)9.17.5
Games Played1717
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)155128
Receptions7650
Rec/Game4.52.9
Receiving Yards851525
Rec Yds/Game50.130.9
Receiving TDs53
Targets10865
Target Share/Game6.43.8
Age36-
Experience12 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 5Week 12

Summary

9.1 PPG for Travis Kelce versus 7.5 for Tyler Conklin 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 Travis Kelce or Tyler Conklin in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Travis Kelce has the edge at 9.1 PPG compared to Tyler Conklin's 7.5 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 Travis Kelce and Tyler Conklin average in 2025?

Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tyler Conklin averaged 7.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Travis Kelce and Tyler Conklin's bye weeks in 2026?

Travis Kelce (KC) has a bye in Week 5, and Tyler Conklin (NYJ) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Travis Kelce or Tyler Conklin a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Travis Kelce outscored Tyler Conklin by 1.6 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.

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