Chris Godwin Jr. or Drake London: Who Should You Start?

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

London’s WR1 role outweighs Godwin’s favorable game script

Start Drake London: the modest model margin understates how much his WR1 standing and primary-target role separate him from Godwin. Godwin’s route volume is encouraging, but CBS Sports 2026-09-14 notes that 32 routes produced only four targets, making his usage less bankable despite Tampa Bay’s slightly better scoring outlook. London’s risk is a repeat of his quiet opener, yet his near-every-down role and contested-catch profile give him a sturdier path to volume.

What flips it: A confirmed shift making Godwin a primary target.

Sources: CBS Sports · Sep 14, 2026

AI editor

Chris Godwin Jr.

Chris Godwin Jr.

WR42TBvs CLE

Projected Points

Toss-Up· medium
Drake London

Drake London

WR7ATLvs CAR

Projected Points

Start

Chris Godwin Jr.’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-152 / +119
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 37.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+205
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Drake London’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-128 / +100
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 53.5
-117 / -114
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+200
Anytime Touchdown Props →
CLE@
TBSun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
CAR@
ATLSun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →

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.

  • Tampa Bay’s favorable script should keep Godwin involved, and his versatility supports multiple ways to earn targets.
  • The real concern is conversion: elite route participation did not become reliable target priority in Week 1.

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
Performance Preview: Week One Star – Chris Godwin Jr., Alex Anzalone or Kenny Gainwell?

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
Alex Anzalone, Chris Godwin Jr. Among Bucs' Captains for 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 Drake London

Start

WR1 and primary target. Big-bodied X receiver who wins contested catches at the catch point with elite ball skills.

Start — every-week WR start at consensus WR7: 21% target share, 12.8 PPR projected vs CAR.

  • London’s WR1 role gives him a stronger volume floor than Godwin’s WR2 slot, even in a closer game.
  • His physical X-receiver profile provides touchdown upside when coverage limits easy separation.

Latest on London

Fantasy buzz: Pats' Stevenson rises with Henderson out, Cards list Love as RB2

TreVeyon Henderson won't suit up on Wednesday, leaving most of the backfield work for Rhamondre Stevenson.

ESPN · Sep 9, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricChris Godwin Jr.Drake London
Projected points
Consensus rankWR42WR7
Opponent vs positionCLE · 24 of 321-game sampleCAR · 21 of 321-game sample
Receptions24 of 3231 of 32
Receiving Yards26 of 3228 of 32
Receiving TDs31 of 3213 of 32
Targets6 of 3219 of 32
Anytime TD31 of 3213 of 32
Target share15%21%
Reception share17%17%
Implied total · spread24.0-5.523.0-1.5
Depth chartWR2WR1
Snap share86%98%
Start/Sit record0–0+2 toss-ups—

Recent form

Chris Godwin Jr. — last 1 week

Week 1vs CIN

Drake London — last 1 week

Week 1vs PIT

Signal breakdown

  • 10.0 vs 12.8 projected PPR pointsDrake London +
  • Rank 42 vs 7Drake London +
  • Opponent DvP rank 24 vs 21 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 24.0 vs 23.0 team pointsChris Godwin Jr. +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 86% vs 98% snap shareDrake London +

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