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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Austin Hooper vs Cole KmetWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Austin Hooper over Cole Kmet in 2026.

Austin Hooper (4.0 PPG) and Cole Kmet (4.0) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Both play tight ends, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

Statistically, Austin Hooper and Cole Kmet are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.0-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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TENew England Patriots#99PPG LEADER

Austin Hooper

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

292

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TEChicago Bears#99

Cole Kmet

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

347

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Austin Hooper

Cole Kmet

Head to Head

4.0 PPG4.0 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Hooper: Unranked TE. Cole Kmet: Unranked TE. Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Austin Hooper is producing at 18% of elite pace and Cole Kmet at 18%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Hooper vs Cole Kmet: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Austin Hooper finished the 2025 season at 4.0 PPG over 15 games with the New England Patriots, while Cole Kmet clocked in at 4.0 across 16 appearances for the Chicago Bears. A 0.0-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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Austin Hooper had 32 catches for 292 yards; Cole Kmet posted 30 for 347. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

One scheduling note: Austin Hooper is off Week 14 and Cole Kmet Week 7. 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: Austin Hooper (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Cole Kmet (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Austin Hooper outscored Cole Kmet by a projected 0 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cole Kmet played 16 games in 2025 compared to Austin Hooper's 15. That durability gap means Cole Kmet contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Cole Kmet scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Cole Kmet saw 48 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Hooper vs Cole Kmet: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Hooper	Cole Kmet
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	4.0
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	60	64
Receptions	32	30
Rec/Game	2.1	1.9
Receiving Yards	292	347
Rec Yds/Game	19.5	21.7
Receiving TDs	1	2
Targets	42	48
Target Share/Game	2.8	3.0
Age	-	27
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

4.0 PPG for Austin Hooper versus 4.0 for Cole Kmet in 2025. The baseline favors Austin Hooper, 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 Austin Hooper or Cole Kmet in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Hooper has the edge at 4.0 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 Austin Hooper and Cole Kmet average in 2025?▾

Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Cole Kmet averaged 4.0 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.0 points per game.

When are Austin Hooper and Cole Kmet's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Hooper (NE) has a bye in Week 14, and Cole Kmet (CHI) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Hooper or Cole Kmet a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Austin Hooper outscored Cole Kmet by 0.0 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.