Christian McCaffrey vs De'Von Achane

Who should you start in Week 3? This week's matchups and projections.

RB4
Christian McCaffrey
SFO · Bye 8
293.8
projected 2026 points (PPR)
Season-long pick
VS
RB7
De'Von Achane
MIA · Bye 6
245.4
projected 2026 points (PPR)

Who to start in Week 3

Start Christian McCaffrey this week, and it isn't close: 6.4 projected points separate them (18.7 vs 12.3).

Christian McCaffrey faces ARI, the 6th-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week. De'Von Achane faces KC, the 32nd-friendliest matchup a RB 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 Christian McCaffrey, and it isn't close: 48.4 points of value over replacement separate them (157.3 vs 108.9).

The draft market agrees: Christian McCaffrey goes first at ADP 5.4 vs 9.7 for De'Von Achane.

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Christian McCaffreySFO De'Von AchaneMIA Edge
Week 3 opponent ARI KC
Projected Week 3 points 18.7 12.3 McCaffrey +6.4 pts
Matchup rank (RB vs defense, of 32) #6 #32
Projected 2026 points (PPR) 293.8 245.4 McCaffrey +48.4 pts
Points per game 17.3 14.4
Value over replacement (VBD) 157.3 108.9 McCaffrey +48.4
Overall rank #4 #11 McCaffrey by 7
Position rank RB4 RB7
Market ADP 5.4 9.7 Achane +4.3 cheaper
Typical round (12-team) Rd 1 Rd 1
Bye week 8 6

Should I start Christian McCaffrey or De'Von Achane in Week 3?

Start Christian McCaffrey this week, and it isn't close: 6.4 projected points separate them (18.7 vs 12.3).

Should I draft Christian McCaffrey or De'Von Achane in 2026 fantasy football?

Christian McCaffrey. He projects 293.8 fantasy points with 157.3 value over replacement, vs 245.4 points and 108.9 for De'Von Achane (RB, PPR).