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Cole Kmet fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 1 (2024). Should you start or sit Cole Kmet for fantasy football lineups?
BALLER MOVE: Start in multi-tight end leagues. Bench everywhere else.
POSITIONAL VALUE: TE2 (12+ team, multi-tight end formats).
ANALYSIS: The Bears will begin the season with a showdown with the Tennessee Titans. Things are different for Chicago than they were at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, with Justin Fields no longer the team’s signal-caller.
Instead, Chicago used the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams. The team also selected Rome Odunze just eight picks later.
Those weren’t the only noteworthy additions to the offense, with the Bears bolstering the roster by making a trade with the Chargers for Keenan Allen, who will line up opposite DJ Moore.
Despite the new additions, Chicago still has Cole Kmet as the top tight end on the depth chart. The 25-year-old had a decent season in 2023-24, logging career-highs in receptions (73), targets (90), and receiving yards (719).
He also had six touchdowns, one less than the year before. On paper, the offense in The Windy City looks promising.
But some things should concern fantasy managers. To start, Williams will be appearing in his first professional contest.
While that doesn’t mean much to some, there have historically been some bumps in the road for many rookies through the years.
The Bears will also need to figure out how to get everyone involved. Last season, Moore was the preferred target for Fields.
But with Fields no longer in the equation, what will that mean for the former Panthers wideout?
On top of that, Allen likely isn’t looking to play second fiddle to anyone, meaning he will expect his share of attention. Lastly, Odunze will also be hungry.
TE Cole Kmet on the Bears' influx of skill players: "If that means my target share goes down and we win more games, I am all for that. It’s been a long four years of losing for the most part since I’ve been here."
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) August 28, 2024
So where does that leave Kmet? He had some value last season, especially inside the red zone, where he had 11 grabs inside the 20-yard line, one of the best marks in the National Football League.
Kmet also had a few potent fantasy showings last season. Unfortunately, the 2020 No. 43 overall pick wasn’t the most consistent.
In 17 games, he found the end zone in just four contests (two two-touchdown games) while pulling in six or more grabs just four times. Without question, Kmet can get hot.
However, the Titans' defense played well against opposing tight ends last season, and with an improved secondary, things likely won’t be any easier. Of course, anything can happen.
Yet, outside of multi-tight end fantasy leagues, it may be best to keep Kmet out of the starting lineup in Week 1.
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