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Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

George Kittle vs Gunnar Helm

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

George Kittle is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. George Kittle outscored Gunnar Helm by 7.7 PPG in 2025 with 7 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, George Kittle is the clear pick. Gunnar Helm profiles as a matchup-dependent tight end who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TESan Francisco 49ers#3PPG LEADER
George Kittle
PPG
12.1
Games
11
Rec
57
Rec Yds
628
Rec TDs
7
Targets
69
Bye
Week 14
TETennessee Titans#40
Gunnar Helm
PPG
4.4
Games
16
Rec
44
Rec Yds
357
Rec TDs
2
Targets
55
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
George Kittle
Gunnar Helm

Head to Head

12.1 PPG4.4 PPG
11 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

George Kittle: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #3 at the position). Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, George Kittle is producing at 55% of elite pace and Gunnar Helm at 20%. That ranking gap means George Kittle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

George Kittle vs Gunnar Helm: Who Should You Start?

There is a real production gap between these two tight ends. George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) averaged 12.1 PPG over 11 games in 2025, outscoring Gunnar Helm (Tennessee Titans, 4.4 PPG) by 7.7 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 7.7 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; Gunnar Helm posted 44 for 357. 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 14 and Gunnar Helm Week 10. 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. Gunnar Helm 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. Gunnar Helm (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • George Kittle outscored Gunnar Helm by a projected 131 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to George Kittle's 11. That durability gap means Gunnar Helm 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.
  • Gunnar Helm is 9 years younger than George Kittle (23 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatKittleHelm
PPG (Half-PPR)12.14.4
Games Played1116
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)13370
Receptions5744
Rec/Game5.22.8
Receiving Yards628357
Rec Yds/Game57.122.3
Receiving TDs72
Targets6955
Target Share/Game6.33.4
Age3223
Experience8 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 10

Summary

12.1 PPG for George Kittle versus 4.4 for Gunnar Helm 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 Gunnar Helm in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, George Kittle has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 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 Gunnar Helm average in 2025?

George Kittle averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 7.7 points per game.

When are George Kittle and Gunnar Helm's bye weeks in 2026?

George Kittle (SF) has a bye in Week 14, and Gunnar Helm (TEN) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is George Kittle or Gunnar Helm a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

George Kittle outscored Gunnar Helm by 7.7 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.