Colston Loveland or Courtland Sutton: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 3 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Loveland edges Sutton on role and team outlook, but the receiving-role risk is real
Loveland gets the narrow head-to-head edge from his TE3 consensus standing, heavier snap role and Chicago’s stronger scoring outlook, but that does not erase his published sit verdict. Sutton’s projection and target share give him the clearer catch-volume path, so the rank gap overstates how far apart these options are; the two-game matchup samples offer no reliable separator. The main risk is Loveland’s actual role: SI.com (Bears On SI) 2026-09-22 reports one catch on five targets through two games, with blocking his primary job. Sutton’s outside-receiver and contested-catch profile is a real counter, but Loveland’s team context tips this specific call.
What flips it: Another week with Loveland mainly blocking while Sutton keeps the larger target share.
Sources: SI.com (Bears On SI) · Sep 22, 2026
AI editor
Colston Loveland
5.87.79.7 Projected Points
Courtland Sutton
7.19.010.9 Projected Points
Colston Loveland’s market
Courtland Sutton’s market
Why Colston Loveland
SitTE1 and pass-catching mismatch. Seam-stretching move tight end with flex alignment and rising target volume.
Sit — TE3 consensus, projects TE16 this week: PHI is the 2nd-toughest matchup vs TEs, 24.0 implied team total.
- His heavy snap involvement leaves room for more receiving work if Chicago shifts his role.
- Chicago’s stronger scoring outlook supports his touchdown path.
Latest on Loveland
Loveland has been almost invisible through two games with just one catch for three yards on five targets, and his primary role has instead been as a blocker, including being responsible for the block on the game-ending sack allowed against Minnesota.
SI.com (Bears On SI) · Sep 22, 2026When even the "little guys" are getting a hat on a hat, it's that much easier to post 59 points and over 500 yards.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Why Courtland Sutton
Toss-UpWR1 and primary outside X receiver. Big-bodied contested-catch threat with red-zone and jump-ball value.
Toss-up — WR34 consensus, projects WR41 this week: 16% target share, 10.9 PPR projected vs LAR.
- His larger target share gives you a more direct route to PPR catches.
- His contested-catch and red-zone profile can pay off without a high-volume passing game.
Latest on Sutton
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Colston Loveland | Courtland Sutton |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 5.87.79.7 | 7.19.010.9 |
| Consensus rank | TE3 | WR34 |
| Opponent vs position | PHI · 2 of 322-game sample | LAR · 13 of 322-game sample |
| Receptions | 3 of 32 | 7 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 2 of 32 | 7 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | 1 of 32 | 23 of 32 |
| Targets | 3 of 32 | 5 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 1 of 32 | 23 of 32 |
| Target share | 9% | 16% |
| Reception share | 2% | 13% |
| Implied total · spread | 24.0-1.5 | 21.3+3.0 |
| Depth chart | TE1 | WR2 |
| Snap share | 87% | 75% |
| Start/Sit record | — | 0–0+2 toss-ups |
Recent form
Colston Loveland — last 2 weeks
| Week 2 | vs MIN | 0.30.81.3 |
| Week 1 | vs CAR | 0.00.00.0 |
Courtland Sutton — last 2 weeks
| Week 2 | vs JAX | 2.54.05.5 |
| Week 1 | vs KC | 1.12.13.1 |
Signal breakdown
- 9.7 vs 10.9 projected PPR pointsCourtland Sutton +
- Rank 3 vs 34Colston Loveland +
- Opponent DvP rank 2 vs 13 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 24.0 vs 21.3 team pointsColston Loveland +
- No injury designationseven
- 87% vs 75% snap shareColston Loveland +
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