Alvin Kamara or Kyle Pitts Sr.: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 3 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Pitts edges Kamara, but neither earns a start

Pitts is the better side of this comparison, though the board still has him as a sit. The projection difference is negligible at tight end; Pitts’ receiving profile offers more upside than Kamara’s complementary backfield role, but ESPN 2026-09-24 confirms his target volume has been scant. Kamara benefits from the stronger scoring outlook and receiving ability, yet returning from an MCL sprain in a shared backfield makes his workload the key risk.

What flips it: A clear indication Kamara can handle a larger workload in his season debut.

Sources: ESPN · Sep 17, 2026 · ESPN · Sep 24, 2026

AI editor

Alvin Kamara

Alvin Kamara

RB48NOvs LV

Projected Points

Sit
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Kyle Pitts Sr.

TE7ATLvs GB

Projected Points

Sit· low

Alvin Kamara’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
+145
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Kyle Pitts Sr.’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-124 / -103
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 36.5
-111 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+380
Anytime Touchdown Props →
LV@
NOSun, Sep 27, 4:25 PM ETView the game →
ATL@
GBThu, Sep 24, 8:15 PM ETView the game →

Why Alvin Kamara

Sit

Veteran RB2 in complementary role. Elite receiving back with elusive short-area footwork, now sharing the backfield.

Sit — bench-tier RB at consensus RB48: LV is the 11th-toughest matchup vs RBs, 14% target share.

  • Kamara’s receiving skill gives him a route to useful PPR production even if the Saints lean on him between the 20s.
  • His season debut after an MCL sprain leaves workload uncertainty despite being available.

Latest on Kamara

Saints' Alvin Kamara practices, 'moving well' after MCL sprain

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has "no limitations," was a full participant in practice and says his knee feels good only one month after spraining his MCL in practice.

ESPN · Sep 17, 2026
Running back Alvin Kamara ready to make season debut for New Orleans Saints

The team's all-time leader in rushing yards beat the projected recovery timeline and will play on Sunday

neworleanssaints.com · Sep 17, 2026
The latest on Alvin Kamara and Cam Jordan

Katherine Terrell discusses the injury statuses of running back Alvin Kamara and defensive lineman Cam Jordan.

VideoESPN · Sep 17, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Kyle Pitts Sr.

Sit· low

TE1 and vertical seam threat. Rare size-speed mismatch profile with high-volume target share in the passing game.

TE7 ranking hides an ugly role: 51% snap share, 8% target share and just four targets through two games on a 19.5-point team total.

  • Pitts’ size-speed seam threat gives him a big-play path that Kamara’s complementary role may not offer.
  • His TE1 profile supports upside, but the recent lack of targets makes that upside speculative.

The call

  • Usage is the red flag. A 51% snap share and 8% target share are not TE1 numbers, and ESPN notes he has just four targets this season. The 9.9-point projection is leaning on his reputation, not his 2026 role.
  • The matchup is neutral at best. GB ranks 15 of 32 in DvP vs tight ends, but that rests on a 2-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so it offers no real boost.
  • Game script cuts both ways. A 19.5 implied total caps touchdown equity, though a 7.5-point spread could force extra passing volume if Atlanta trails.
  • What tips it: if your alternative is a waiver-level TE with a similarly thin role, Pitts' ceiling and consensus TE7 rank make him a defensible start. Against any tight end with a steady target share, bench him until the usage rebounds.

Latest on Pitts

Kyle Pitts Sr. has just four targets so far this season.

How to bet Falcons-Packers on TNF: Analysis, tips and top playsESPN · Sep 24, 2026

Head-to-head stats

MetricAlvin KamaraKyle Pitts Sr.
Projected points
Consensus rankRB48TE7
Opponent vs positionLV · 11 of 322-game sampleGB · 15 of 322-game sample
Rushing Yards12 of 32—
Rushing TDs10 of 32—
Rushing Attempts11 of 32—
Receptions6 of 3217 of 32
Receiving Yards18 of 3213 of 32
Anytime TD8 of 3213 of 32
Receiving TDs—15 of 32
Targets—19 of 32
Target share14%8%
Reception share16%3%
Implied total · spread23.0-3.519.5+7.5
Depth chartRB2TE1
Snap share29%51%
Start/Sit record—0–1+1 toss-up

Recent form

Alvin Kamara — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs BAL
Week 1vs DET

Kyle Pitts Sr. — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs CAR
Week 1vs PIT

Signal breakdown

  • 9.6 vs 9.9 projected PPR pointsKyle Pitts Sr. +
  • Rank 48 vs 7Kyle Pitts Sr. +
  • Opponent DvP rank 11 vs 15 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 23.0 vs 19.5 team pointsAlvin Kamara +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 29% vs 51% snap shareKyle Pitts Sr. +

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