Chris Godwin Jr. or Dallas Goedert: Who Should You Start?

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

Goedert's every-down role gives him the sturdier edge over Godwin

Start Dallas Goedert: his near-every-down role, stronger target involvement and red-zone usage make the modest projection gap more meaningful at tight end. His 4-77-2 opener confirms the kind of scoring access his role can create (philadelphiaeagles.com 2026-09-16). Chris Godwin's route volume and slightly better team outlook are legitimate positives, but four targets in that workload (CBS Sports 2026-09-14) leave his production less secure. The risk with Goedert is that his touchdown efficiency cools, while Godwin needs his routes to turn into substantially more targets to overtake him.

What flips it: A confirmed reduction in Goedert's snaps or red-zone role.

Sources: CBS Sports · Sep 14, 2026 · philadelphiaeagles.com · Sep 16, 2026

AI editor

Chris Godwin Jr.

Chris Godwin Jr.

WR42TBvs CLE

Projected Points

Toss-Up· medium
Dallas Goedert

Dallas Goedert

TE12PHIvs TEN

Projected Points

Start· medium

Chris Godwin Jr.’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-126 / -101
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 37.5
-112 / -112
Receiving Yards Props →

Dallas Goedert’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-131 / +102
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 39.5
-111 / -120
Receiving Yards Props →

Why Chris Godwin Jr.

Toss-Up· medium

Starting WR with slot-to-boundary versatility. Physical route runner and YAC producer; recent seasons shortened by injury.

Elite route volume (32 of 36 Mayfield dropbacks) but just 4 targets and a 15% share — WR42 with a 10.0 projection is flex-or-bench, not locked in.

  • Godwin's slot-to-boundary versatility keeps his route volume resilient.
  • A softer Cleveland matchup and slightly higher team total support his upside.

The call

  • The role is there: 86% snap share, 32 routes on 36 dropbacks and 54.3% slot usage means he's on the field for everything Tampa does in the passing game.
  • The production hasn't followed — four targets, fourth on the team, 15% target share. That's the gap between a usable flex and a dead roster spot in PPR.
  • Matchup and script are mild positives: Cleveland grades 24 of 32 vs the position (1-game sample, low confidence) and a 24.0 implied total with a -5.5 spread keeps Tampa throwing without garbage-time desperation.
  • Tipping point: if you need a WR3 in a 12-team PPR, the route share justifies playing him; if you have another starter projected above WR42, sit him until the targets catch up to the snaps.

Latest on Godwin

Role

Godwin ran 32 routes on 36 Mayfield dropbacks (second-most on the team) and was lined up in the slot 54.3% of the time, but was targeted just four times, finishing fourth on the team.

CBS Sports · Sep 14, 2026

Gabriel Kahaian joins Brianna Dix and Scott Smith this season in their weekly competition of predicting who the Bucs' brightest star will prove to be in the upcoming game, and two of three picks are players new to the roster in 2026

buccaneers.com · Sep 11, 2026

Tampa Bay players voted for their team captains on Monday morning and chose QB Baker Mayfield, T Tristan Wirfs, WR Chris Godwin Jr., NT Vita Vea, LB Alex Anzalone and S Antoine Winfield Jr.

buccaneers.com · Sep 8, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Dallas Goedert

Start· medium

Starting TE and red-zone weapon. Reliable chain-mover with strong yards-after-catch and blocking ability.

95% snaps and a 23% target share off a 4-77-2 game make Goedert a locked-in TE1 at 10.8 projected, even against a mid-tier TEN matchup.

  • Goedert's red-zone role gives his heavy snap share more scoring leverage.
  • His passing-game involvement is already translating into efficient production.

The call

  • Role is airtight: 95% snap share and a 23% target share mean he's a genuine focal point in this passing game, not a rotational piece.
  • Recent production backs the usage — four catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns, with the Eagles featuring him near the goal line.
  • The 23.5 implied total and -4.5 spread point to a positive, controlled script where Philadelphia keeps throwing in scoring range.
  • Only real drag is the matchup: Tennessee grades 12 of 32 vs tight ends, and it's a one-game sample with zero confidence, so treat the DvP as noise rather than a reason to bench a TE12 with this role.

Latest on Goedert

Role

Dallas Goedert was featured in the Eagles' passing game on Sunday, drawing five targets and recording four receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

Spadaro: Dallas Goedert does it all and does it well for the Eaglesphiladelphiaeagles.com · Sep 16, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricChris Godwin Jr.Dallas Goedert
Projected points
Consensus rankWR42TE12
Opponent vs positionCLE · 24 of 321-game sampleTEN · 12 of 321-game sample
Receptions24 of 3218 of 32
Receiving Yards26 of 325 of 32
Receiving TDs31 of 321 of 32
Targets6 of 3215 of 32
Anytime TD31 of 3220 of 32
Target share15%23%
Reception share17%29%
Implied total · spread24.0-5.523.5-4.5
Depth chartWR2TE1
Snap share86%95%
Start/Sit record00+2 toss-ups10

Recent form

Chris Godwin Jr. — last 1 week

Week 1vs CIN

Dallas Goedert — last 1 week

Week 1vs WSH

Signal breakdown

  • 10.0 vs 10.8 projected PPR pointsDallas Goedert +
  • Rank 42 vs 12Dallas Goedert +
  • Opponent DvP rank 24 vs 12 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 24.0 vs 23.5 team pointsChris Godwin Jr. +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 86% vs 95% snap shareDallas Goedert +

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