Tee Higgins vs Rashee Rice
Who should you start in Week 5? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 5
Start Tee Higgins this week: Rashee Rice is on bye in Week 5.
Tee Higgins gets MIA, the 14th-friendliest matchup a WR can draw this week, projecting 12.5 points.
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 Tee Higgins by 0.8 points of value over replacement (28.8 vs 28.0), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The room sees it the other way: drafters take Rashee Rice first (ADP 17.2 vs 37.1). If the model is right, Tee Higgins is the value pick, since the later cost buys the better 2026 projection.
Health note: Tee Higgins carries an injury flag of Questionable (Groin), which is already reflected in his projection.
Health note: Rashee Rice carries an injury flag of Questionable (Hamstring), which is already reflected in his projection.
| Tee HigginsCIN | Rashee RiceKAN | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 5 opponent | MIA | Bye | |
| Projected Week 5 points | 12.5 | 0.0 | Higgins +12.5 pts |
| Matchup rank (WR vs defense, of 30) | #14 | - | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 206.8 | 206.0 | Higgins +0.8 pts |
| Points per game | 12.2 | 12.1 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 28.8 | 28.0 | Higgins +0.8 |
| Overall rank | #45 | #46 | Higgins by 1 |
| Position rank | WR16 | WR17 | |
| Market ADP | 37.1 | 17.2 | Higgins +19.9 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 4 | Rd 2 | |
| Bye week | 6 | 5 | |
| Injury flag | Questionable | Questionable |
Should I start Tee Higgins or Rashee Rice in Week 5?
Start Tee Higgins this week: Rashee Rice is on bye in Week 5.
Should I draft Tee Higgins or Rashee Rice in 2026 fantasy football?
Tee Higgins. He projects 206.8 fantasy points with 28.8 value over replacement, vs 206.0 points and 28.0 for Rashee Rice (WR, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.