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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

AJ Barner vs Cole KmetWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start AJ Barner over Cole Kmet in 2026.

AJ Barner averaged 7.1 PPG in 2025 to Cole Kmet's 4.0, a 3.1 point per game edge. Both play tight ends, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

AJ Barner is the better play on a neutral week. 7.1 PPG with 533 yards gives a reliable baseline. Cole Kmet at 4.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft AJ Barner higher, but do not fade Cole Kmet entirely.

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

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TESeattle Seahawks#22PPG LEADER

AJ Barner

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

519

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TEChicago Bears#99

Cole Kmet

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

347

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

AJ Barner

Cole Kmet

Head to Head

7.1 PPG4.0 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

AJ Barner: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #22 at the position). Cole Kmet: Unranked TE. Among the top 30 tight ends this season, AJ Barner is producing at 32% of elite pace and Cole Kmet at 18%. That ranking gap means AJ Barner carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

AJ Barner vs Cole Kmet: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between AJ Barner and Cole Kmet is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Seattle Seahawks tight end put up 7.1 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Cole Kmet of the Chicago Bears averaged 4.0 in 16. A 3.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.1 points favors AJ Barner, 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.

AJ Barner is the volume tight end in this matchup with 52 receptions for 519 yards, while Cole Kmet profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (2 scores on 30 catches). In weeks where Cole Kmet finds the end zone he out-scores AJ Barner, but the floor gap is real.

AJ Barner has his bye in Week 11, and Cole Kmet rests in Week 7. 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

AJ Barner is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Cole Kmet is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: AJ Barner (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Cole Kmet (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•AJ Barner outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•AJ Barner played 17 games in 2025 compared to Cole Kmet's 16. That durability gap means AJ Barner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•AJ Barner scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•AJ Barner saw 68 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

AJ Barner vs Cole Kmet: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	AJ Barner	Cole Kmet
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.1	4.0
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	121	64
Receptions	52	30
Rec/Game	3.1	1.9
Receiving Yards	519	347
Rec Yds/Game	30.5	21.7
Receiving TDs	6	2
Targets	68	48
Target Share/Game	4.0	3.0
Age	24	27
Experience	1 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 7

Summary

7.1 PPG for AJ Barner versus 4.0 for Cole Kmet in 2025. The baseline favors AJ Barner, 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 AJ Barner or Cole Kmet in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, AJ Barner has the edge at 7.1 PPG compared to Cole Kmet's 4.0 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 AJ Barner and Cole Kmet average in 2025?▾

AJ Barner averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

When are AJ Barner and Cole Kmet's bye weeks in 2026?▾

AJ Barner (SEA) has a bye in Week 11, and Cole Kmet (CHI) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is AJ Barner or Cole Kmet a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

AJ Barner outscored Cole Kmet by 3.1 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.