Tank Bigsby vs Samaje Perine

Who should you start in Week 3? This week's matchups and projections.

RB72
Tank Bigsby
PHI · Bye 10
41.8
projected 2026 points (PPR)
Season-long pick
VS
RB74
Samaje Perine
CIN · Bye 6
41.5
projected 2026 points (PPR)

Who to start in Week 3

This week is a coin flip. The model leans Samaje Perine by 0.2 projected points (2.6 vs 2.4), close enough that either call is defensible.

Samaje Perine faces PIT, the 7th-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week. Tank Bigsby faces CHI, the 18th-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week.

Season-long, the model still ranks Tank Bigsby 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 Tank Bigsby by 0.3 points of value over replacement (-94.8 vs -95.1), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.

The draft market agrees: Tank Bigsby goes first at ADP 159.1 vs 168.0 for Samaje Perine.

Health note: Tank Bigsby carries an injury flag of Questionable (Abdomen), which is already reflected in his projection.

Setting your whole lineup? Sync your league and get a start/sit call for every roster slot, adjusted for this week's matchups and practice reports.
Optimize my lineup
Tank BigsbyPHI Samaje PerineCIN Edge
Week 3 opponent CHI PIT
Projected Week 3 points 2.4 2.6 Perine +0.2 pts
Matchup rank (RB vs defense, of 32) #18 #7
Projected 2026 points (PPR) 41.8 41.5 Bigsby +0.3 pts
Points per game 2.5 2.4
Value over replacement (VBD) -94.8 -95.1 Bigsby +0.3
Overall rank #193 #195 Bigsby by 2
Position rank RB72 RB74
Market ADP 159.1 168.0 Perine +8.9 cheaper
Typical round (12-team) Rd 14 Rd 14
Bye week 10 6
Injury flag Questionable None

Should I start Tank Bigsby or Samaje Perine in Week 3?

This week is a coin flip. The model leans Samaje Perine by 0.2 projected points (2.6 vs 2.4), close enough that either call is defensible.

Should I draft Tank Bigsby or Samaje Perine in 2026 fantasy football?

Tank Bigsby. He projects 41.8 fantasy points with -94.8 value over replacement, vs 41.5 points and -95.1 for Samaje Perine (RB, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.