Rashee Rice vs Zay Flowers
Who should you start in Week 6? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 6
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Zay Flowers by 0.0 projected points (15.0 vs 15.0), close enough that either call is defensible.
Zay Flowers faces CLE, the 3rd-friendliest matchup a WR can draw this week. Rashee Rice faces LAC, the 8th-friendliest matchup a WR can draw this week.
Season-long, the model still ranks Rashee Rice ahead. This is a matchup call for Week 6, 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 Rashee Rice: a clear but modest edge of 12.1 points of value over replacement (64.0 vs 51.9).
The draft market agrees: Rashee Rice goes first at ADP 17.2 vs 24.8 for Zay Flowers.
Health note: Rashee Rice carries an injury flag of Out (Hamstring), which is already reflected in his projection.
Health note: Zay Flowers carries an injury flag of Questionable (Toe), which is already reflected in his projection.
| Rashee RiceKAN | Zay FlowersBAL | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 6 opponent | LAC | CLE | |
| Projected Week 6 points | 15.0 | 15.0 | Even |
| Matchup rank (WR vs defense, of 28) | #8 | #3 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 242.4 | 230.3 | Rice +12.1 pts |
| Points per game | 14.3 | 13.5 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 64.0 | 51.9 | Rice +12.1 |
| Overall rank | #28 | #34 | Rice by 6 |
| Position rank | WR9 | WR12 | |
| Market ADP | 17.2 | 24.8 | Flowers +7.6 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 2 | Rd 2 | |
| Bye week | 5 | 13 | |
| Injury flag | Out | Questionable |
Should I start Rashee Rice or Zay Flowers in Week 6?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Zay Flowers by 0.0 projected points (15.0 vs 15.0), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Rashee Rice or Zay Flowers in 2026 fantasy football?
Rashee Rice. He projects 242.4 fantasy points with 64.0 value over replacement, vs 230.3 points and 51.9 for Zay Flowers (WR, PPR).