Michael Pittman Jr. vs Makai Lemon
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 Makai Lemon by 0.2 projected points (8.5 vs 8.3), close enough that either call is defensible.
Makai Lemon faces CHI, the 18th-friendliest matchup a WR can draw this week. Michael Pittman Jr. faces CIN, the 28th-friendliest matchup a WR can draw this week.
Season-long, the model still ranks Michael Pittman Jr. 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 Michael Pittman Jr.: a clear but modest edge of 8.7 points of value over replacement (-23.0 vs -31.7).
The draft market agrees: Michael Pittman Jr. goes first at ADP 76.6 vs 131.2 for Makai Lemon.
| Michael Pittman Jr.PIT | Makai LemonPHI | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3 opponent | CIN | CHI | |
| Projected Week 3 points | 8.3 | 8.5 | Lemon +0.2 pts |
| Matchup rank (WR vs defense, of 32) | #28 | #18 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 154.2 | 145.5 | Jr. +8.7 pts |
| Points per game | 9.1 | 8.6 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -23.0 | -31.7 | Jr. +8.7 |
| Overall rank | #100 | #105 | Jr. by 5 |
| Position rank | WR41 | WR43 | |
| Market ADP | 76.6 | 131.2 | Lemon +54.6 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 7 | Rd 11 | |
| Bye week | 9 | 10 |
Should I start Michael Pittman Jr. or Makai Lemon in Week 3?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Makai Lemon by 0.2 projected points (8.5 vs 8.3), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Michael Pittman Jr. or Makai Lemon in 2026 fantasy football?
Michael Pittman Jr.. He projects 154.2 fantasy points with -23.0 value over replacement, vs 145.5 points and -31.7 for Makai Lemon (WR, PPR).