Cole Kmet 2026 fantasy outlook and rest-of-season projection
- Age
- 27
- Height / weight
- 6'6", 257 lb
- Experience
- 7th season
- Drafted
- 2020 R2, #43
2026 Season
- PPR PPG
- 3.8
- Pos rank
- TE42
- Rostered
- 2%
Week 4 vs. Jets, Sun Oct 4, 1:00 PM ET 28th vs. TEs, tough
Cole Kmet Rest-of-Season Outlook
Every-down depth TE for deep leagues only
Preseason Projection vs. Reality
He finished TE36 last season at 4.9 points per game.
Our Take After Week 4
Through 3 games he's TE42 at 3.8 PPR points per game, against 4.9 over 16 games last season (TE36). He's running behind last season's pace.
Last season he ranked 20th of 81 in route participation (62.6%), 32nd of 82 in target share (9.0%) and 55th of 82 in efficiency (0.93 yards per route run). His points come from his route participation. Efficiency is the soft spot. Caleb Williams is his quarterback.
He's TE2 on the depth chart, so his value depends on the players ahead of him.
Read our preseason outlook (June 2026)
Published June 16, 2026. Kept for reference; the take above replaces it.
The arrow points down, and the route data tells you why. Kmet's 2025 line of 30 catches for 347 yards and 2 scores ranked him just 33rd among tight ends, a steep slide from the 90 targets, 719 yards and TE9 finish he posted in 2023. His target share cratered to 9 percent on a 62.6 route share, and at 0.93 yards per route run he simply isn't earning enough work to matter weekly.
There are flickers worth noting: 0.257 EPA per play and a 47.9 percent success rate mean he was efficient on the limited looks he saw, and he drew six red-zone targets. But the rookie ahead of him has claimed the lead role, capping the ceiling. Treat Kmet as a touchdown-dependent dart throw and a deep-league streamer only, nothing more until the depth chart shifts.
What Drives His Outlook
His 2025 rank among the 81 tight ends who played at least six games. Each bar is one tight end, best on the left; his is highlighted.
Route participation
Target share
Efficiency
- Average depth of target
- 8.8
- Drop rate
- 4.2%
- Red-zone targets
- 6
- Route participation
- 62.6%
- YAC per reception
- 5.0
What Could Change His Value
Upside
- The scheduleNone of his next four opponents is a top-10 matchup for TEs.Wk 4 NYJ, 28thWk 5 GB, 22ndWk 6 ATL, 12thWk 7 NE, 31st
- Every-down route participation62.6% route participation, 20th of 81 TEs in 2025.
Risk
- RoleHe's TE2 on the depth chart.
- Tough matchupsThe Jets in Week 4 (28th) and the Patriots in Week 7 (31st) are among the stingiest defenses against TEs.
All Cole Kmet stats & analysis
TEs like Cole Kmet
Cole Kmet Fantasy Outlook FAQ
What is Cole Kmet's fantasy outlook for the rest of the 2026 season?
Cole Kmet projects as an every-down depth TE for deep leagues only for the rest of the 2026 season: a bench stash in TE-premium leagues and waiver-wire material in 12-team and 10-team leagues. His route participation (62.6% route participation, 20th of 81 TEs in 2025) supports that. His efficiency (0.93 yards per route run, 55th of 82 TEs in 2025) holds him back. See his live rank in Redraft Command.
What is Cole Kmet's rest-of-season fantasy ranking?
Cole Kmet is the TE42 in PPR points per game through Week 4. That puts him in depth TE territory, waiver-wire material in 12-team leagues.
What is Cole Kmet's projected role going forward?
Cole Kmet is TE2 on the depth chart, so a bigger role needs an injury or a change ahead of him.
Will Cole Kmet get more targets?
Cole Kmet's targets are holding steady: 1.0 a game over his last two games against 1.7 for the season. His share of the offense is what his fantasy value rides on.
What is Cole Kmet's fantasy football upside?
Cole Kmet's upside: his ceiling this season is 11.5 PPR points (Week 1, TE11) and his route participation (62.6% route participation, 20th of 81 TEs in 2025) gives him a weekly floor to build on.
What could hurt Cole Kmet's fantasy value?
Cole Kmet's risks: his efficiency (0.93 yards per route run, 55th of 82 TEs in 2025) limits his scoring and the Jets in Week 4 and the Patriots in Week 7 are tough matchups. See his injury status and history.
How difficult is Cole Kmet's remaining fantasy schedule?
Difficult: of his next seven games, 1 comes against a top-10 matchup for TEs and 2 against one of the stingiest defenses, by PPR points allowed to the position.