Alec Pierce vs Terry McLaurin
Who should you start in Week 3? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 3
Start Alec Pierce this week: a clear but modest edge of 1.1 projected points (10.3 vs 9.2).
Alec Pierce faces HOU, the 10th-friendliest matchup a WR can draw this week. Terry McLaurin faces SEA, the 25th-friendliest matchup a WR can draw this week.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
This one is a coin flip. The model leans Alec Pierce by 0.4 points of value over replacement (-10.5 vs -10.9), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The room sees it the other way: drafters take Terry McLaurin first (ADP 48.1 vs 69.7). If the model is right, Alec Pierce is the value pick, since the later cost buys the better 2026 projection.
Health note: Alec Pierce carries an injury flag of Out (Heel), which is already reflected in his projection.
| Alec PierceIND | Terry McLaurinWAS | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3 opponent | HOU | SEA | |
| Projected Week 3 points | 10.3 | 9.2 | Pierce +1.1 pts |
| Matchup rank (WR vs defense, of 32) | #10 | #25 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 167.9 | 167.5 | Pierce +0.4 pts |
| Points per game | 9.9 | 9.9 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -10.5 | -10.9 | Pierce +0.4 |
| Overall rank | #87 | #88 | Pierce by 1 |
| Position rank | WR35 | WR36 | |
| Market ADP | 69.7 | 48.1 | Pierce +21.6 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 6 | Rd 4 | |
| Bye week | 13 | 7 | |
| Injury flag | Out | None |
Should I start Alec Pierce or Terry McLaurin in Week 3?
Start Alec Pierce this week: a clear but modest edge of 1.1 projected points (10.3 vs 9.2).
Should I draft Alec Pierce or Terry McLaurin in 2026 fantasy football?
Alec Pierce. He projects 167.9 fantasy points with -10.5 value over replacement, vs 167.5 points and -10.9 for Terry McLaurin (WR, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.