Bhayshul Tuten or Juwan Johnson: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Johnson’s every-down role edges Tuten’s splash-play appeal

Johnson gets the PPR call because his TE1 role and pass-catching profile offer a steadier path through a difficult matchup. Tuten has the better projection, slightly stronger scoring environment and explosive-run upside, but a split backfield role makes that edge fragile. Johnson’s main risk is his illness, after missing Wednesday practice and returning limited Thursday (NBC Sports/PFT 2026-09-17).

What flips it: A setback in Johnson’s illness recovery before kickoff.

Sources: NBC Sports/PFT · Sep 17, 2026

AI editor

In standard and half-PPR scoring this is a coin flip.

Bhayshul Tuten

Bhayshul Tuten

RB21JAXvs DEN

Projected Points

Sit
Juwan Johnson

Juwan Johnson

TE16NOvs BAL

Projected Points

Toss-Up· medium

Bhayshul Tuten’s market

RUSH YDS
O/U 48.5
-113 / -113
Rushing Yards Props →
REC
O/U 1.5
-108 / -118
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 8.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+180
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Juwan Johnson’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-123 / -104
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 38.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+370
Anytime Touchdown Props →
JAX@
DENSun, Sep 20, 4:05 PM ETView the game →
NO@
BALSun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →

Why Bhayshul Tuten

Sit

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

Sit — RB21 consensus, projects RB33 this week: DEN is the 8th-softest matchup vs RBs, 5% target share.

  • Tuten’s straight-line speed gives him a realistic path to win this with one explosive run.
  • A slightly better scoring environment supports his touchdown and breakaway-run upside.

Latest on Tuten

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Juwan Johnson

Toss-Up· medium

TE1 and high-volume pass-catcher. Big-bodied converted receiver who is a red-zone and intermediate mismatch.

TE16 at 8.9 points with an 84% snap share, but a 19.5 implied total, tough 12-of-32 matchup and midweek illness cap the ceiling.

  • Johnson’s converted-receiver background gives him more ways to earn usable PPR points.
  • His red-zone mismatch profile can overcome a low-scoring outlook if New Orleans reaches scoring range.

The call

  • Role is locked in — 84% snap share and a 14% target share make him the clear every-down tight end, which is why he projects as TE16 at 8.9 PPR points.
  • The environment fights him: a 19.5 implied team total and a Baltimore defense that grades 12 of 32 versus tight ends (softest = 32) point to a low-volume scoring script.
  • The illness is the tiebreaker — he missed Wednesday and was limited Thursday. Full participation Friday moves this to a start; another limited session drops it to a sit.
  • Being 7.5-point underdogs does add late passing volume, which is the one path to a TE1 line here.

Latest on Johnson

Status

Tight end Juwan Johnson (illness) did not practice Wednesday and returned as a limited participant Thursday ahead of Week 2 against Baltimore.

NBC Sports/PFT · Sep 17, 2026
NFL fantasy outlook for Saints in 2026? Etienne, Johnson, rookie WRs

With Alvin Kamara sidelined, fantasy managers are left to wonder who will pick up the carries for New Orleans.

ESPN · Sep 7, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricBhayshul TutenJuwan Johnson
Projected points
Consensus rankRB21TE16
Opponent vs positionDEN · 25 of 321-game sampleBAL · 12 of 321-game sample
Rushing Yards31 of 32—
Rushing TDs15 of 32—
Rushing Attempts29 of 32—
Receptions21 of 325 of 32
Receiving Yards30 of 322 of 32
Anytime TD22 of 3220 of 32
Receiving TDs—21 of 32
Targets—11 of 32
Target share5%14%
Reception share6%9%
Implied total · spread20.5+2.519.5+7.5
Depth chartRB1TE1
Snap share49%84%
Start/Sit record0–0+1 toss-up0–0+2 toss-ups

Recent form

Bhayshul Tuten — last 1 week

Week 1vs CLE

Juwan Johnson — last 1 week

Week 1vs DET

Signal breakdown

  • 10.1 vs 8.9 projected PPR pointsBhayshul Tuten +
  • Rank 21 vs 16Juwan Johnson +
  • Opponent DvP rank 25 vs 12 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 20.5 vs 19.5 team pointsBhayshul Tuten +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 49% vs 84% snap shareJuwan Johnson +

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