De'Von Achane vs Jeremiyah Love
Who should you start in Week 5? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 5
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Jeremiyah Love by 0.1 projected points (12.6 vs 12.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
Jeremiyah Love faces DET, the 23rd-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week. De'Von Achane faces CIN, the 26th-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week.
Season-long, the model still ranks De'Von Achane ahead. This is a matchup call for Week 5, 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 De'Von Achane by 3.8 points of value over replacement (86.5 vs 82.7), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The draft market agrees: De'Von Achane goes first at ADP 9.7 vs 28.3 for Jeremiyah Love.
Health note: De'Von Achane carries an injury flag of IR (Knee - ACL), which is already reflected in his projection.
| De'Von AchaneMIA | Jeremiyah LoveARI | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 5 opponent | CIN | DET | |
| Projected Week 5 points | 12.5 | 12.6 | Love +0.1 pts |
| Matchup rank (RB vs defense, of 30) | #26 | #23 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 223.1 | 219.3 | Achane +3.8 pts |
| Points per game | 13.1 | 12.9 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 86.5 | 82.7 | Achane +3.8 |
| Overall rank | #18 | #20 | Achane by 2 |
| Position rank | RB11 | RB13 | |
| Market ADP | 9.7 | 28.3 | Love +18.6 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 1 | Rd 3 | |
| Bye week | 6 | 14 | |
| Injury flag | IR | None |
Should I start De'Von Achane or Jeremiyah Love in Week 5?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Jeremiyah Love by 0.1 projected points (12.6 vs 12.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft De'Von Achane or Jeremiyah Love in 2026 fantasy football?
De'Von Achane. He projects 223.1 fantasy points with 86.5 value over replacement, vs 219.3 points and 82.7 for Jeremiyah Love (RB, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.