Who Should I Start? Cole Kmet or AJ Barner


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
4.2 0.0 0.0 1.6 17.9 0.1

Cole Kmet News

Cole Kmet Is Getting Harder to Draft

Sunday, August 23, 10:46 AM

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet is getting harder to make a redraft case for. He caught 30 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns last season, and his offensive snap share fell from 88% in 2024 to 70%. Colston Loveland was the bigger problem. The 2025 first-rounder led Chicago with 58 catches for 713 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie, and nothing this summer suggests the passing-game pecking order is changing. Loveland caught another red-zone touchdown from Caleb Williams during Thursday's joint practice with Cincinnati, then had a 10-yard reception on the starters' only drive Saturday night. Chicago also used the 69th overall pick on Sam Roush, giving an offense that already leans heavily on two- and three-tight-end sets another option. Kmet can still play plenty because of his blocking, but that does not guarantee enough targets for fantasy. RotoBaller has him at TE40 and 285th overall in PPR. Unless Loveland misses time, Kmet looks more like depth than a tight end fantasy managers need to draft.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
7.1 0.8 0.0 2.8 27.8 0.2

AJ Barner News

AJ Barner May Be Undervalued in Drafts Entering 2026

Wednesday, September 2, 12:51 PM

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner emerged as his team's top tight end in 2025, recording 52 catches for 519 yards and six touchdowns on 68 targets across 17 games. Despite his solid production, the presence of 2025 second-round tight end Elijah Arroyo in Seattle has led to speculation that Barner's role in the Seahawks' offense could fade in 2026. However, Barner has reportedly been one of the team's standout performers this summer, and he's already proven that he has established red-zone chemistry with Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. If he can earn slightly more overall target volume in 2026, Barner could establish himself as a lower-end TE1 option for fantasy managers.


Cole Kmet vs. AJ Barner

Still trying to decide between Kmet and Barner? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Cole Kmet is projected to score 4.2 points this week while AJ Barner is projected to score 7.1 points.