AJ Barner vs Darren Waller
Who should you start in Week 3? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 3
Start AJ Barner this week: a clear but modest edge of 1.7 projected points (6.2 vs 4.5).
AJ Barner faces WAS, the 6th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week. Darren Waller faces KC, the 32nd-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
The model takes AJ Barner: a clear but modest edge of 5.3 points of value over replacement (-82.7 vs -88.0).
The draft market hasn't priced this matchup yet, so treat it as a pure model call.
| AJ BarnerSEA | Darren WallerMIA | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3 opponent | WAS | KC | |
| Projected Week 3 points | 6.2 | 4.5 | Barner +1.7 pts |
| Matchup rank (TE vs defense, of 32) | #6 | #32 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 95.8 | 90.4 | Barner +5.3 pts |
| Points per game | 5.6 | 5.3 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -82.7 | -88.0 | Barner +5.3 |
| Overall rank | #160 | #169 | Barner by 9 |
| Position rank | TE23 | TE25 | |
| Market ADP | - | - | |
| Typical round (12-team) | - | - | |
| Bye week | 11 | 6 |
Should I start AJ Barner or Darren Waller in Week 3?
Start AJ Barner this week: a clear but modest edge of 1.7 projected points (6.2 vs 4.5).
Should I draft AJ Barner or Darren Waller in 2026 fantasy football?
AJ Barner. He projects 95.8 fantasy points with -82.7 value over replacement, vs 90.4 points and -88.0 for Darren Waller (TE, PPR).