Bhayshul Tuten or Colston Loveland: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 1 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Loveland's established role wins the narrow call over Tuten's splash-play appeal

Loveland is the steadier bet because his pass-catching role is established, while Tuten remains a home-run threat in a backfield split. Chicago's slightly lower implied total matters less because Loveland's 65% snap share and 16% target share provide a reliable path to volume; the team calls him one of Caleb Williams' trusted pass catchers [chicagobears.com 2026-08-04]. Tuten's favorable Jacksonville script and explosive profile are real advantages, and he is healthy heading into the opener [ESPN 2026-09-09], but his limited role makes the outcome depend more on a big play or touchdown. The projections are nearly level, yet Loveland's usage and tight-end ranking create the more meaningful separation.

What flips it: A confirmed lead-back role for Tuten.

Sources: chicagobears.com · Aug 4, 2026 · ESPN · Sep 9, 2026

AI editor

Bhayshul Tuten

Bhayshul Tuten

RB21JAXvs CLE

Projected Points

Toss-Up· medium
Colston Loveland

Colston Loveland

TE3CHIvs CAR

Projected Points

Start

Bhayshul Tuten’s market

RUSH YDS
O/U 46.5
-113 / -113
REC
O/U 1.5
-160 / +125
REC YDS
O/U 11.5
-111 / -113
ATD
Anytime TD
+145
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Colston Loveland’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-127 / +100
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 55.5
-110 / -114
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+150
Anytime Touchdown Props →
CLE@
JAXSun, Sep 13, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
CHI@
CARSun, Sep 13, 1:00 PM ETView the game →

Why Bhayshul Tuten

Toss-Up· medium

Explosive RB with elite straight-line speed. Home-run threat splitting carries in the Jacksonville backfield.

RB21 at 12.8 with a -7.5 spread is flex-worthy, but a 21% snap share and 3% target share cap the floor until the backfield split clears.

  • A likely Jacksonville lead creates room for rushing chances and a touchdown path.
  • His explosive running style can beat a workload-based projection with one breakaway play.

The call

  • Game script is the best thing going for him: Jacksonville is favored by 7.5 with a 24.0 implied total, the profile that turns into late-game carries for whoever is on the field.
  • The role is the problem — 21% snap share and a 3% target share over 15 games means he is a rotational piece, not a volume back, and PPR points are hard to find without targets.
  • Consensus has him RB21 at 12.8 projected points, which is squarely startable in a 12-team PPR, so the projection and the usage are telling different stories.
  • Availability is clean — no designation, and he was left off the first Week 1 injury report per ESPN (2026-09-09). What tips this to a start is early-game evidence he is handling the two-minute and clock-killing work; if it's a near-even split, take the safer flex.

Latest on Tuten

Status

Tuten was not included on the Jaguars' first Week 1 injury report despite missing practice with illness the previous week, suggesting he is fully healthy heading into the opener against Cleveland.

ESPN · Sep 9, 2026

Why Colston Loveland

Start

TE1 and pass-catching mismatch. Seam-stretching move tight end with flex alignment and rising target volume.

Start — every-week TE start at consensus TE3: 16% target share in 2025, 12.1 PPR projected vs CAR.

  • Williams' trust gives Loveland a stronger role foundation than a typical high-ranked tight end.
  • His receiving usage makes him less dependent on Chicago sustaining a favorable game script.

Latest on Loveland

Role

Colston Loveland remains one of quarterback Caleb Williams' most trusted pass catchers.

'He's just a sponge right now': How Colston Loveland is evolving ahead of Year 2chicagobears.com · Aug 4, 2026
Facts vs. Feelings: In on Ladd McConkey? Out on Bucky Irving? What about Lamar Jackson?

In advance of the biggest draft weekend, Liz Loza reveals her strongest thoughts to help you have a successful draft.

ESPN · Sep 3, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricBhayshul TutenColston Loveland
Projected points
Consensus rankRB21TE3
Opponent vs positionCLEno ranking yetCARno ranking yet
Target share3%(2025)16%(2025)
Reception share3%(2025)19%(2025)
Implied total · spread24.0-7.523.5-2.5
Depth chartRB1TE1
Snap share21%(2025)65%(2025)
Start/Sit record0–0+1 toss-up—

Signal breakdown

  • 12.0 vs 12.1 projected PPR pointsColston Loveland +
  • Rank 21 vs 3Colston Loveland +
  • Matchup (DvP composite)even
  • Implied 24.0 vs 23.5 team pointsBhayshul Tuten +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 21% vs 65% snap shareColston Loveland +

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