Jaleel McLaughlin vs Jaydon Blue
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 Jaydon Blue by 0.1 projected points (2.5 vs 2.4), close enough that either call is defensible.
Jaydon Blue faces BAL, the 17th-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week. Jaleel McLaughlin faces LA, the 22nd-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week.
Season-long, the model still ranks Jaleel McLaughlin 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 Jaleel McLaughlin by 0.4 points of value over replacement (-93.7 vs -94.0), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The draft market hasn't priced this matchup yet, so treat it as a pure model call.
| Jaleel McLaughlinDEN | Jaydon BlueDAL | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3 opponent | LA | BAL | |
| Projected Week 3 points | 2.4 | 2.5 | Blue +0.1 pts |
| Matchup rank (RB vs defense, of 32) | #22 | #17 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 42.9 | 42.5 | McLaughlin +0.4 pts |
| Points per game | 2.5 | 2.5 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -93.7 | -94.0 | McLaughlin +0.4 |
| Overall rank | #189 | #190 | McLaughlin by 1 |
| Position rank | RB68 | RB69 | |
| Market ADP | - | - | |
| Typical round (12-team) | - | - | |
| Bye week | 10 | 14 |
Should I start Jaleel McLaughlin or Jaydon Blue in Week 3?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Jaydon Blue by 0.1 projected points (2.5 vs 2.4), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Jaleel McLaughlin or Jaydon Blue in 2026 fantasy football?
Jaleel McLaughlin. He projects 42.9 fantasy points with -93.7 value over replacement, vs 42.5 points and -94.0 for Jaydon Blue (RB, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.