Dalton Schultz vs T.J. Hockenson
Who should you start in Week 3? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 3
This week is a coin flip. The model leans T.J. Hockenson by 0.2 projected points (7.4 vs 7.3), close enough that either call is defensible.
T.J. Hockenson faces TB, the 3rd-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week. Dalton Schultz faces IND, the 8th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week.
Season-long, the model still ranks Dalton Schultz ahead. This is a matchup call for Week 3, not a change of heart about the rest of the year.
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 Dalton Schultz by 0.8 points of value over replacement (-64.4 vs -65.2), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The room sees it the other way: drafters take T.J. Hockenson first (ADP 162.0 vs 176.6). If the model is right, Dalton Schultz is the value pick, since the later cost buys the better 2026 projection.
| Dalton SchultzHOU | T.J. HockensonMIN | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3 opponent | IND | TB | |
| Projected Week 3 points | 7.3 | 7.4 | Hockenson +0.2 pts |
| Matchup rank (TE vs defense, of 32) | #8 | #3 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 114.0 | 113.2 | Schultz +0.8 pts |
| Points per game | 6.7 | 6.7 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -64.4 | -65.2 | Schultz +0.8 |
| Overall rank | #141 | #144 | Schultz by 3 |
| Position rank | TE19 | TE20 | |
| Market ADP | 176.6 | 162.0 | Schultz +14.6 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 15 | Rd 14 | |
| Bye week | 8 | 6 |
Should I start Dalton Schultz or T.J. Hockenson in Week 3?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans T.J. Hockenson by 0.2 projected points (7.4 vs 7.3), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Dalton Schultz or T.J. Hockenson in 2026 fantasy football?
Dalton Schultz. He projects 114.0 fantasy points with -64.4 value over replacement, vs 113.2 points and -65.2 for T.J. Hockenson (TE, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.