Brock Bowers vs Trey McBride
Who should you start in Week 5? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 5
Start Brock Bowers this week: a clear but modest edge of 2.2 projected points (15.8 vs 13.7).
Brock Bowers faces NE, the 18th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week. Trey McBride faces DET, the 13th-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 Brock Bowers, and it isn't close: 43.0 points of value over replacement separate them (95.1 vs 52.1).
The room sees it the other way: drafters take Trey McBride first (ADP 32.2 vs 34.5). If the model is right, Brock Bowers is the value pick, since the later cost buys the better 2026 projection.
| Brock BowersLVR | Trey McBrideARI | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 5 opponent | NE | DET | |
| Projected Week 5 points | 15.8 | 13.7 | Bowers +2.2 pts |
| Matchup rank (TE vs defense, of 30) | #18 | #13 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 273.1 | 230.1 | Bowers +43.0 pts |
| Points per game | 16.1 | 13.5 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 95.1 | 52.1 | Bowers +43.0 |
| Overall rank | #16 | #36 | Bowers by 20 |
| Position rank | TE1 | TE2 | |
| Market ADP | 34.5 | 32.2 | Bowers +2.3 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 3 | Rd 3 | |
| Bye week | 13 | 14 |
Should I start Brock Bowers or Trey McBride in Week 5?
Start Brock Bowers this week: a clear but modest edge of 2.2 projected points (15.8 vs 13.7).
Should I draft Brock Bowers or Trey McBride in 2026 fantasy football?
Brock Bowers. He projects 273.1 fantasy points with 95.1 value over replacement, vs 230.1 points and 52.1 for Trey McBride (TE, PPR).