Saquon Barkley vs De'Von Achane
Who should you start in Week 3? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 3
Start Saquon Barkley this week: a clear but modest edge of 2.3 projected points (14.6 vs 12.3).
Saquon Barkley faces CHI, the 18th-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 Saquon Barkley: a clear but modest edge of 6.6 points of value over replacement (115.4 vs 108.9).
The room sees it the other way: drafters take De'Von Achane first (ADP 9.7 vs 18.3). If the model is right, Saquon Barkley is the value pick, since the later cost buys the better 2026 projection.
| Saquon BarkleyPHI | De'Von AchaneMIA | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3 opponent | CHI | KC | |
| Projected Week 3 points | 14.6 | 12.3 | Barkley +2.3 pts |
| Matchup rank (RB vs defense, of 32) | #18 | #32 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 252.0 | 245.4 | Barkley +6.6 pts |
| Points per game | 14.8 | 14.4 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 115.4 | 108.9 | Barkley +6.6 |
| Overall rank | #10 | #11 | Barkley by 1 |
| Position rank | RB6 | RB7 | |
| Market ADP | 18.3 | 9.7 | Barkley +8.6 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 2 | Rd 1 | |
| Bye week | 10 | 6 |
Should I start Saquon Barkley or De'Von Achane in Week 3?
Start Saquon Barkley this week: a clear but modest edge of 2.3 projected points (14.6 vs 12.3).
Should I draft Saquon Barkley or De'Von Achane in 2026 fantasy football?
Saquon Barkley. He projects 252.0 fantasy points with 115.4 value over replacement, vs 245.4 points and 108.9 for De'Von Achane (RB, PPR).