Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

George Kittle vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

George Kittle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

George Kittle is the better fantasy play this season.

George Kittle is the better play on a neutral week. 12.1 PPG with 625 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jonnu Smith at 8.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft George Kittle higher, but do not fade Jonnu Smith entirely.

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

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TESan Francisco 49ers#3PPG LEADER

George Kittle

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

628

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

TEMiami Dolphins#99

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

George Kittle

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

12.1 PPG8.2 PPG

11 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

George Kittle: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #3 at the position). Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, George Kittle is producing at 55% of elite pace and Jonnu Smith at 37%. That ranking gap means George Kittle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

George Kittle vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between George Kittle and Jonnu Smith is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The San Francisco 49ers tight end put up 12.1 PPG in 2025 over 11 games; Jonnu Smith of the Miami Dolphins averaged 8.2 in 15. A 3.9-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.9 points favors George Kittle, 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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. George Kittle had 57 catches for 628 yards; Jonnu Smith posted 52 for 562. 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: George Kittle is off Week 8 and Jonnu Smith Week 6. 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

George Kittle is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jonnu Smith is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: George Kittle (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•George Kittle outscored Jonnu Smith by a projected 66 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonnu Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to George Kittle's 11. That durability gap means Jonnu Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•George Kittle scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•George Kittle saw 69 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

George Kittle vs Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	George Kittle	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	8.2
Games Played	11	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	133	123
Receptions	57	52
Rec/Game	5.2	3.5
Receiving Yards	628	562
Rec Yds/Game	57.1	37.5
Receiving TDs	7	4
Targets	69	68
Target Share/Game	6.3	4.5
Age	32	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 6

Summary

12.1 PPG for George Kittle versus 8.2 for Jonnu Smith in 2025. The baseline favors George Kittle, 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 George Kittle or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, George Kittle has the edge at 12.1 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 George Kittle and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

George Kittle averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.9 points per game.

When are George Kittle and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

George Kittle (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is George Kittle or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

George Kittle outscored Jonnu Smith by 3.9 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.