Colston Loveland or T.J. Hockenson: Who Should You Start?

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

Start Loveland — the consensus rank and projection edges are too wide to ignore.

Colston Loveland is the higher consensus play (TE3 to TE18) and projects 11.4 to Hockenson's 10.1. No signal favors Hockenson this week. The gap is wide.

Colston Loveland

Colston Loveland

TE3CHIvs MIN

Projected Points

Start
T.J. Hockenson

T.J. Hockenson

TE18MINvs CHI

Projected Points

Start

Colston Loveland’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
+103 / -131
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 48.5
-113 / -111
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+145
Anytime Touchdown Props →

T.J. Hockenson’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
+340
Anytime Touchdown Props →
MIN@
CHISun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
MIN@
CHISun, Sep 20, 1:00 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.

  • MIN ranks 14 of 32 against TEs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 1-game sample).
  • Vegas implies 24.5 team points as 3.5-point favorites.
  • Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 87% snap share.

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
Facts vs. Feelings: In on Ladd McConkey? Out on Bucky Irving? What about Lamar Jackson?

In advance of the biggest draft weekend, Liz Loza reveals her strongest thoughts to help you have a successful draft.

ESPN · Sep 3, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why T.J. Hockenson

Start

TE1 and primary middle-of-field target. Route-savvy seam threat with high-volume usage when healthy.

Start — TE18 consensus, projects TE14 this week: 22% target share, 10.1 PPR projected vs CHI.

  • CHI ranks 13 of 32 against TEs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 1-game sample).
  • Vegas implies 21.0 team points as 3.5-point underdogs.
  • Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 66% snap share.

Latest on Hockenson

Role

Hockenson played 43 offensive snaps in the Vikings' Week 1 tight end rotation, behind Josh Oliver's 42 snaps, with the pairing described as effective.

Yahoo Sports · Sep 14, 2026

Head-to-head stats

MetricColston LovelandT.J. Hockenson
Projected points
Consensus rankTE3TE18
Opponent vs positionMIN · 14 of 321-game sampleCHI · 13 of 321-game sample
Receptions14 of 3218 of 32
Receiving Yards31 of 3220 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 321 of 32
Targets24 of 3224 of 32
Anytime TD1 of 321 of 32
Target share8%22%
Reception share0%27%
Implied total · spread24.5-3.521.0+3.5
Depth chartTE1TE1
Snap share87%66%
Start/Sit record—1–0

Recent form

Colston Loveland — last 1 week

Week 1vs CAR

T.J. Hockenson — last 1 week

Week 1vs GB

Signal breakdown

  • 11.4 vs 10.1 projected PPR pointsColston Loveland +
  • Rank 3 vs 18Colston Loveland +
  • Opponent DvP rank 14 vs 13 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 24.5 vs 21.0 team pointsColston Loveland +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 87% vs 66% snap shareColston Loveland +

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