Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or Cole Kmet

Friday, January 2, 12:55 PM

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (groin) will be placed on Injured Reserve on Friday, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. Waller will miss the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival New England Patriots. The 33-year-old veteran came out of retirement to play for the Dolphins in 2025 and will finish with 24 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns in only nine games played. Waller got a late start to the season as he worked his way into playing shape and also missed time with a hamstring injury. He was not the same player he was earlier in his career with the Raiders, but Waller still had plenty of red-zone prowess in his return this year. It remains to be seen if he'll attempt to return in 2026 with Miami or another organization. Greg Dulcich should be the Dolphins' top pass-catching TE in Week 18.

Wednesday, February 18, 6:55 AM

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet's value is declining ahead of the 2026 season. Kmet never really established himself as a top fantasy threat through his first five years in the league, but he did have two top-eight finishes at the tight end position during that span. However, his fantasy production took a major step backward in 2025 (his sixth season in the league) as the Bears shook up their personnel. New head coach Ben Johnson made plenty of changes on the offensive side of the ball, with the most notable being the addition of rookie tight end Colston Loveland. Chicago started feeding Loveland after the Week 5 bye, which resulted in Kmet's snap share dropping from 100% in Week 4 to just 52% in Week 6. Kmet ultimately finished the year with a modest stat line of 30 catches, 347 yards, and two touchdowns across 16 games. The reception and yardage totals both represented his lowest marks since his rookie campaign in 2020. Kmet is under contract for two more years, and while the Bears do have a potential out this offseason, it seems like he'll remain in Chicago through 2027. That would mean he'll nestle into the No. 2 tight end role next season, severely limiting his fantasy value and upside. He's not worth drafting in 2026 redraft leagues, and dynasty managers should absolutely look to trade him within the next couple of months, even though it's too late to completely "sell high."