Chig Okonkwo or Colston Loveland: Who Should You Start?

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

Loveland’s trusted-target role gives him the safer TE edge

Start Colston Loveland: both tight ends play nearly every-down roles, but Loveland’s TE1 alignment and pass-catching profile offer a much sturdier path to useful volume. Chicago’s higher team outlook helps, and the Bears identify him as one of Caleb Williams’ most trusted pass catchers (chicagobears.com 2026-08-04). Okonkwo’s athleticism can create a splash play, yet his move/flex role and lighter blocking value make him more dependent on efficiency and a touchdown. The real risk with Loveland is target volatility if Chicago spreads the ball, but this is a comfortable TE call rather than a marginal projection edge.

What flips it: A late role limitation for Loveland or a confirmed target-volume spike for Okonkwo.

Sources: chicagobears.com · Aug 4, 2026

AI editor

Chig Okonkwo

Chig Okonkwo

TE22WSHvs PHI

Projected Points

Sit
Colston Loveland

Colston Loveland

TE3CHIvs CAR

Projected Points

Start

Chig Okonkwo’s market

REC
O/U 2.5
-163 / +127
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 24.5
-118 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+425
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Colston Loveland’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-123 / -104
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 53.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+160
Anytime Touchdown Props →
WSH@
PHISun, Sep 13, 4:25 PM ETView the game →
CHI@
CARSun, Sep 13, 1:00 PM ETView the game →

Why Chig Okonkwo

Sit

Starting TE in move/flex role. Athletic seam-stretcher with yards-after-catch juice, light in-line blocker.

Sit — bench-tier TE at consensus TE22: 15% target share in 2025, 6.8 PPR projected vs PHI.

  • Seam speed and yards-after-catch ability give Okonkwo a plausible big-play escape hatch.
  • His light in-line blocking can limit touchdown insulation when the offense needs to stay balanced.

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.

  • Loveland’s trusted-pass-catcher status supports steadier opportunity than the raw usage gap suggests.
  • His flex alignment creates matchup access without requiring a perfect game script to matter.

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

MetricChig OkonkwoColston Loveland
Projected points
Consensus rankTE22TE3
Opponent vs positionPHIno ranking yetCARno ranking yet
Target share15%(2025)16%(2025)
Reception share17%(2025)19%(2025)
Implied total · spread20.5+5.523.5-2.5
Depth chartTE1TE1
Snap share64%(2025)65%(2025)

Signal breakdown

  • 6.8 vs 12.1 projected PPR pointsColston Loveland +
  • Rank 22 vs 3Colston Loveland +
  • Matchup (DvP composite)even
  • Implied 20.5 vs 23.5 team pointsColston Loveland +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 64% vs 65% snap shareColston Loveland +

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