Dalton Schultz or Harold Fannin Jr.: Who Should You Start?

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

Fannin wins the matchup call, but Schultz remains the safer lineup start

Fannin gets the head-to-head edge because his TE5 standing, 82% role and softer matchup outweigh Cleveland's modest scoring outlook. That makes him the better bet between these two, but the narrow separation does not erase his board-level SIT; Schultz remains a START thanks to Houston's stronger game environment and confirmed receiving role (SI/Texans On SI 2026-09-14). Schultz's risk is Cincinnati's difficult tight-end matchup, while Fannin's is a low-scoring Browns offense limiting his touchdown and volume ceiling.

What flips it: A meaningful downgrade to Fannin's route participation or a late boost to Cleveland's scoring outlook.

Sources: SI/Texans On SI · Sep 14, 2026

AI editor

Dalton Schultz

Dalton Schultz

TE21HOUvs CIN

Projected Points

Start
Harold Fannin Jr.

Harold Fannin Jr.

TE5CLEvs TB

Projected Points

Sit

Dalton Schultz’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-127 / +100
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 37.5
-109 / -115
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+285
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Harold Fannin Jr.’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
+250
Anytime Touchdown Props →
CIN@
HOUSun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
CLE@
TBSun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →

Why Dalton Schultz

Start

TE1 in high-volume pass-catching role. Reliable chain-mover over the middle with sure hands.

Start — TE21 by consensus and projection: CIN is the 4th-toughest matchup vs TEs, 24.5 implied team total.

  • Houston's lead receiving tight end has a role sturdy enough to withstand a difficult matchup.
  • His chain-moving profile fits a game where Houston is positioned to sustain more drives.

Latest on Schultz

Role

Schultz was Houston's lead tight end pass-catcher in Week 1 with four catches for 35 yards, confirming his role as the top receiving option at the position.

SI/Texans On SI · Sep 14, 2026

Why Harold Fannin Jr.

Sit

TE1 and high-volume receiving target. Move tight end and mismatch chess piece with YAC ability.

Sit — TE5 consensus, projects TE13 this week: TB is the 7th-softest matchup vs TEs, 18.5 implied team total caps the ceiling.

  • Fannin's mismatch ability gives him more ways to win than his modest team outlook suggests.
  • His broad snap role makes the matchup advantage more actionable than a one-week projection gap.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDalton SchultzHarold Fannin Jr.
Projected points
Consensus rankTE21TE5
Opponent vs positionCIN · 4 of 321-game sampleTB · 26 of 321-game sample
Receptions5 of 3230 of 32
Receiving Yards6 of 3230 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 3221 of 32
Targets6 of 3229 of 32
Anytime TD1 of 3220 of 32
Target share22%14%
Reception share15%13%
Implied total · spread24.5-2.518.5+5.5
Depth chartTE1TE1
Snap share66%82%

Recent form

Dalton Schultz — last 1 week

Week 1vs BUF

Harold Fannin Jr. — last 1 week

Week 1vs JAX

Signal breakdown

  • 8.1 vs 10.1 projected PPR pointsHarold Fannin Jr. +
  • Rank 21 vs 5Harold Fannin Jr. +
  • Opponent DvP rank 4 vs 26 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 24.5 vs 18.5 team pointsDalton Schultz +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 66% vs 82% snap shareHarold Fannin Jr. +

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