Makai Lemon vs Khalil Shakir
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 Khalil Shakir by 0.9 projected points (9.5 vs 8.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
Khalil Shakir faces LAC, the 2nd-friendliest matchup a WR can draw this week. Makai Lemon faces CHI, the 18th-friendliest matchup a WR can draw this week.
Season-long, the model still ranks Makai Lemon 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 Makai Lemon by 2.2 points of value over replacement (-32.8 vs -35.1), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The room sees it the other way: drafters take Khalil Shakir first (ADP 98.9 vs 131.2). If the model is right, Makai Lemon is the value pick, since the later cost buys the better 2026 projection.
| Makai LemonPHI | Khalil ShakirBUF | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3 opponent | CHI | LAC | |
| Projected Week 3 points | 8.5 | 9.5 | Shakir +0.9 pts |
| Matchup rank (WR vs defense, of 32) | #18 | #2 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 145.6 | 143.4 | Lemon +2.2 pts |
| Points per game | 8.6 | 8.4 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -32.8 | -35.1 | Lemon +2.2 |
| Overall rank | #106 | #109 | Lemon by 3 |
| Position rank | WR44 | WR45 | |
| Market ADP | 131.2 | 98.9 | Lemon +32.3 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 11 | Rd 9 | |
| Bye week | 10 | 7 |
Should I start Makai Lemon or Khalil Shakir in Week 3?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Khalil Shakir by 0.9 projected points (9.5 vs 8.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Makai Lemon or Khalil Shakir in 2026 fantasy football?
Makai Lemon. He projects 145.6 fantasy points with -32.8 value over replacement, vs 143.4 points and -35.1 for Khalil Shakir (WR, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.