Colston Loveland or Oronde Gadsden: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 3 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Loveland's established role edges Gadsden's newly opened runway
Start Loveland, though his TE3 standing is doing more work than his recent receiving role: Chicago has used him primarily as a blocker, and five targets over two games have produced almost nothing (SI.com (Bears On SI) 2026-09-22). His narrow projection edge is less reassuring than the rank gap suggests because his heavy snap share has not brought dependable target volume; the two-game Eagles matchup sample offers no confident counterpoint. Gadsden has a real path to more work with the Chargers' other tight ends on IR and Harbaugh backing him for a larger role (Chargers.com 2026-09-21), but his established snap rate leaves that opportunity unproven. Loveland's more secure role keeps him narrowly ahead, while both remain starts.
What flips it: If Gadsden's expanded role produces a full-time receiving workload.
Sources: SI.com (Bears On SI) · Sep 22, 2026 · Chargers.com · Sep 21, 2026
AI editor
Colston Loveland
5.97.99.9 Projected Points
Oronde Gadsden
5.27.08.7 Projected Points
Colston Loveland’s market
Oronde Gadsden’s market
Why Colston Loveland
StartTE1 and pass-catching mismatch. Seam-stretching move tight end with flex alignment and rising target volume.
Start — every-week TE start at consensus TE3: PHI is the 2nd-toughest matchup vs TEs, 24.0 implied team total.
- Chicago's blocking assignment explains why a heavy snap share hasn't become a dependable receiving floor. (SI.com (Bears On SI) 2026-09-22)
- His top-tier consensus profile supports a start, but it can't erase the target drought.
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 Oronde Gadsden
StartSecond-year starting TE and primary receiving threat at the position. Big-bodied move tight end with WR-like route running, coming off a productive rookie season.
Start — TE26 consensus, projects TE19 this week: 8% target share, 8.7 PPR projected vs BUF.
- With the other Chargers tight ends on IR, Gadsden is the clearest beneficiary of a role opening. (Chargers.com 2026-09-21)
- Recent production shows upside; his limited established workload makes the expanded-role bet fragile.
Latest on Gadsden
With Njoku and Kolar both headed to IR, Gadsden is now the only healthy tight end on the Chargers' active roster, and Harbaugh voiced strong confidence in his ability to handle a larger role.
Chargers.com, ESPN · Sep 21, 2026Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Colston Loveland | Oronde Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 5.97.99.9 | 5.27.08.7 |
| Consensus rank | TE3 | TE26 |
| Opponent vs position | PHI · 2 of 322-game sample | BUF · 21 of 322-game sample |
| Receptions | 3 of 32 | 27 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 2 of 32 | 24 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | 1 of 32 | 15 of 32 |
| Targets | 3 of 32 | 27 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 1 of 32 | 13 of 32 |
| Target share | 9% | 8% |
| Reception share | 2% | 13% |
| Implied total · spread | 24.0-1.5 | 22.8+3.0 |
| Depth chart | TE1 | TE1 |
| Snap share | 87% | 31% |
| Start/Sit record | — | 1–0 |
Recent form
Colston Loveland — last 2 weeks
| Week 2 | vs MIN | 0.30.81.3 |
| Week 1 | vs CAR | 0.00.00.0 |
Oronde Gadsden — last 2 weeks
| Week 2 | vs LV | 7.88.89.8 |
| Week 1 | vs ARI | 3.24.25.2 |
Signal breakdown
- 9.9 vs 8.7 projected PPR pointsColston Loveland +
- Rank 3 vs 26Colston Loveland +
- Opponent DvP rank 2 vs 21 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 24.0 vs 22.8 team pointsColston Loveland +
- No injury designationseven
- 87% vs 31% snap shareColston Loveland +
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