Colston Loveland or Davante Adams: Who Should You Start?

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

Loveland's every-down role meets Adams' bigger scoring runway

Loveland and Adams arrive at the same start line for different reasons: Loveland has the steadier every-down role, while Adams carries the stronger scoring environment and more concentrated target role. The 2.3-point projection gap is smaller than it looks because Adams' 54% snap share creates volatility, while Loveland's TE3 standing and mismatch profile offer a sturdier floor. Adams' Week 1 dud remains the real risk, though NBC Sports 2026-09-10 points to a rebound opportunity; Loveland's risk is fewer high-value chances in Chicago's lower total.

What flips it: A confirmed increase in Adams' route participation would break the tie.

Sources: NBC Sports · Sep 10, 2026

AI editor

In standard and half-PPR scoring this flips to Loveland.

Colston Loveland

Colston Loveland

TE3CHIvs MIN

Projected Points

Start
Davante Adams

Davante Adams

WR21LARvs NYG

Projected Points

Start· medium

Colston Loveland’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
+107 / -136
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 50.5
-110 / -114
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+190
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Davante Adams’s market

REC
O/U 5.5
+120 / -153
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 62.5
-114 / -110
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
-130
Anytime Touchdown Props →
MIN@
CHISun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
NYG@
LARMon, Sep 21, 8:15 PM ETView the game →

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: 24.5 implied team total, 8% target share.

  • Loveland's flex alignment and mismatch skill can turn strong snap volume into efficient TE production.
  • His role is safer than his modest target share suggests, making him the steadier floor play.

Latest on Loveland

'No block, no rock' is not just a mantra for Bears' offense

When even the "little guys" are getting a hat on a hat, it's that much easier to post 59 points and over 500 yards.

ESPN · Sep 16, 2026
Colston Loveland's Week 2 preview
VideoESPN · Sep 16, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Davante Adams

Start· medium

Veteran starting WR2 and red-zone weapon. Elite release package and route separation with All-Pro-caliber pedigree.

WR21 with a 22% target share in a 28.5-implied-total offense — Week 1 dud (3-26) doesn't outweigh the role or the plus game environment.

  • Adams' red-zone profile gives his higher-total offense more ways to convert limited snaps into a spike week.
  • His 22% target share preserves WR1-like upside despite playing behind the pace early.

The call

  • Role is intact: 22% target share as the WR-2 in a Rams offense with a 28.5 implied team total, the kind of volume-plus-scoring-chance combo you start at WR2/flex.
  • Matchup is neutral, not scary — Giants sit 16 of 32 in DvP composite, so nothing about the defense caps his ceiling.
  • Week 1 was ugly (3 of 6 for 26 yards, long of 13) and the 54% snap share is the real concern; if that number doesn't climb he's a volume-dependent WR3.
  • Rams favored by 8.5 raises late-game run-script risk, but a 28.5 implied total means plenty of red-zone looks before the clock-killing starts.

Latest on Adams

Adams caught just 3 of 6 targets for 26 yards with a long gain of only 13 yards in the Week 1 loss to San Francisco, well below his preseason hype, and will look to rebound in the Week 2 Monday night game against the Giants.

NBC Sports · Sep 10, 2026
From the Podium: Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams, Aaron Donald and coordinators explain moving forward to Week 2 against Giants

Rams head coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Davante Adams, defensive end Aaron Donald and coordinators discuss the team's mindset as it turns the page to Week 2 against the Giants.

therams.com · Sep 17, 2026
Davante Adams: "Some things are out of our hands"

LA Rams head coach Sean McVay and WR Davante Adams speak to the press ahead of their clash with the San Francisco 49ers, with Adams showing mixed feelings with the late arrival and connecting with fans.

VideoESPN · Sep 10, 2026
Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams looking forward to building on connection shown over second half of 2025 season and throughout training camp heading into 2026 season

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Davante Adams looked in sync throughout this summer in a way that resembled their connection during the second half of last season.

therams.com · Sep 6, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricColston LovelandDavante Adams
Projected points
Consensus rankTE3WR21
Opponent vs positionMIN · 14 of 321-game sampleNYG · 16 of 321-game sample
Receptions14 of 3220 of 32
Receiving Yards31 of 3210 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 3213 of 32
Targets24 of 3225 of 32
Anytime TD1 of 3213 of 32
Target share8%22%
Reception share0%18%
Implied total · spread24.5-3.528.5-8.5
Depth chartTE1WR2
Snap share87%54%
Start/Sit record—0–1

Recent form

Colston Loveland — last 1 week

Week 1vs CAR

Davante Adams — last 1 week

Week 1vs SF

Signal breakdown

  • 11.4 vs 13.7 projected PPR pointsDavante Adams +
  • Rank 3 vs 21Colston Loveland +
  • Opponent DvP rank 14 vs 16 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 24.5 vs 28.5 team pointsDavante Adams +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 87% vs 54% snap shareColston Loveland +

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