2024 Fantasy Football Preview: Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett |
Tight ends are always difficult in fantasy football. None of them are typically consistent, and the position can become a week-by-week decision. The Chicago Bears starting tight end, Cole Kmet, ranked No. 8 among tight ends in fantasy points last season. However, it is unclear if he will be a top-10 tight end this season.
Kmet has been with the Bears longer than any other player currently on the roster, entering his fifth season. Last season was his best season so far with Chicago, with career highs in receptions (73) and receiving yards (719). In addition, he had his first 100-yard game in the Bears’ 27-16 victory against the Arizona Cardinals last year. One crucial difference between last season and this upcoming season is that in 2023, Kmet and receiver DJ Moore were the top receivers on the team. In 2024, with Kmet, Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Gerald Everett all on the roster, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has a lot of targets he can get the ball to. Even running back D’Andre Swift is expected to take some of the targets. That is probably why Yahoo! Sports has Kmet ranked as the No. 13 fantasy tight end available this season. However, this ranking should undoubtedly fluctuate. Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is ranked as the No. 1 tight end, with Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce at No. 2. Besides them, there is not much of a difference between No. 3 and No. 13. Chicago’s schedule should also benefit Kmet. Last season, the Los Angeles Rams allowed the second-most fantasy points per game against tight ends, and the Bears will be playing them in week four of this upcoming season. The Green Bay Packers were also in the top 10 for most points per game allowed to tight ends. So, there are certain games in the schedule that can allow Kmet to put up more points. Therefore, everything considered, Kmet should be considered a backup tight end in most fantasy leagues, particularly points per reception (PPR) leagues. An ideal fantasy league would have LaPorta as the No. 1 tight end with Kmet as the backup because, during LaPorta’s bye week in week five, the Bears are playing against the Carolina Panthers. In this game, Kmet could have better production, given Carolina’s defense and Kmet’s tendency to have better numbers in October. The West Coast offense that offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is going to implement in Chicago requires two tight ends. While the addition of Everett should not cut much into Kmet’s production, it could make Everett a fantasy option in leagues with more teams. Everett’s position rank was No. 25 last season, and going into this season, Yahoo! Sports has his position rank as No. 27. So, Everett is not someone to rely on as a starting tight end or even backup. Kmet has not missed a game since his rookie season in 2020. However, if he were to miss any time, Everett could be a player to consider picking up on the waiver wire. Chicago tends to keep their tight ends involved in the passing game. So, whoever the starting tight end is, whether Kmet or Everett, in the event Kmet is unavailable, they are someone to consider on a fantasy roster.
