Tony Pollard vs Jonathon Brooks
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 Jonathon Brooks by 0.0 projected points (7.1 vs 7.0), close enough that either call is defensible.
Jonathon Brooks faces CLE, the 16th-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week. Tony Pollard faces NYG, the 31st-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week.
Season-long, the model still ranks Tony Pollard 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
The model takes Tony Pollard, and it isn't close: 17.2 points of value over replacement separate them (0.0 vs -17.2).
The draft market agrees: Tony Pollard goes first at ADP 69.7 vs 88.5 for Jonathon Brooks.
Health note: Jonathon Brooks carries an injury flag of IR (Abdomen), which is already reflected in his projection.
| Tony PollardTEN | Jonathon BrooksCAR | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3 opponent | NYG | CLE | |
| Projected Week 3 points | 7.0 | 7.1 | Even |
| Matchup rank (RB vs defense, of 32) | #31 | #16 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 136.6 | 119.4 | Pollard +17.2 pts |
| Points per game | 8.0 | 7.0 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 0.0 | -17.2 | Pollard +17.2 |
| Overall rank | #72 | #92 | Pollard by 20 |
| Position rank | RB30 | RB32 | |
| Market ADP | 69.7 | 88.5 | Brooks +18.8 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 6 | Rd 8 | |
| Bye week | 9 | 5 | |
| Injury flag | None | IR |
Should I start Tony Pollard or Jonathon Brooks in Week 3?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Jonathon Brooks by 0.0 projected points (7.1 vs 7.0), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Tony Pollard or Jonathon Brooks in 2026 fantasy football?
Tony Pollard. He projects 136.6 fantasy points with 0.0 value over replacement, vs 119.4 points and -17.2 for Jonathon Brooks (RB, PPR).