Makai Lemon vs Xavier Worthy
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 Xavier Worthy by 0.4 projected points (8.9 vs 8.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
Xavier Worthy faces MIA, the 8th-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 3.7 points of value over replacement (-32.8 vs -36.6), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The room sees it the other way: drafters take Xavier Worthy first (ADP 107.3 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 | Xavier WorthyKAN | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3 opponent | CHI | MIA | |
| Projected Week 3 points | 8.5 | 8.9 | Worthy +0.4 pts |
| Matchup rank (WR vs defense, of 32) | #18 | #8 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 145.6 | 141.9 | Lemon +3.7 pts |
| Points per game | 8.6 | 8.3 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -32.8 | -36.6 | Lemon +3.7 |
| Overall rank | #106 | #111 | Lemon by 5 |
| Position rank | WR44 | WR46 | |
| Market ADP | 131.2 | 107.3 | Lemon +23.9 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 11 | Rd 9 | |
| Bye week | 10 | 5 |
Should I start Makai Lemon or Xavier Worthy in Week 3?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Xavier Worthy by 0.4 projected points (8.9 vs 8.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Makai Lemon or Xavier Worthy in 2026 fantasy football?
Makai Lemon. He projects 145.6 fantasy points with -32.8 value over replacement, vs 141.9 points and -36.6 for Xavier Worthy (WR, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.