Dalton Schultz or Jadarian Price: Who Should You Start?

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

Start Price: Seattle's starting back gets the cleaner game script

Price wins because his confirmed starting role puts him in a favorable Seattle game script, while Schultz faces one of the tougher tight-end matchups. Schultz still offers the steadier receiving role and better on-field involvement, but that advantage cannot fully offset the difference between a rookie back expected to benefit from a lead and a tight end working against Cincinnati. The risk is Price's limited workload history; his upside depends on Seattle sustaining control rather than letting Arizona force a pass-heavy finish.

What flips it: A late change to Price's starting role.

Sources: SI.com (OnSI) · Sep 17, 2026

AI editor

Dalton Schultz

Dalton Schultz

TE21HOUvs CIN

Projected Points

Start
Jadarian Price

Jadarian Price

RB23SEAvs ARI

Projected Points

Start· medium

Dalton Schultz’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-148 / +112
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 41.5
-114 / -114
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+235
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Jadarian Price’s market

RUSH YDS
O/U 60.5
-113 / -111
ATD
Anytime TD
+140
CIN@
HOUSun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
SEA@
ARISun, Sep 20, 4:25 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.

  • Schultz's established chain-moving role gives him the safer route to usable PPR production.
  • His receiving involvement is a real edge, even against a defense that suppresses tight-end output.

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 Jadarian Price

Start· medium

Rookie RB atop the depth chart. Explosive, home-run-speed runner with no prior NFL sample.

Named the Week 2 starter with Seattle a 10-point favorite and a 27.3 implied total — RB23 projection in a run-heavy script beats replacement.

  • A confirmed starting job makes Price's explosive rushing profile actionable immediately; SI.com (OnSI) 2026-09-17 backs the role.
  • Seattle's favored script can turn Price's early-down work into the game's most valuable touches.

The call

  • Role is confirmed, not projected: Price will start at running back after 10 carries for 52 yards (5.2 YPC) plus 2 catches in his debut, and he's listed as the RB on the depth chart.
  • Game script is ideal — Seattle is favored by 10 with a 27.3 implied total, the profile that turns a starting back into fourth-quarter carries and goal-line work.
  • The DvP composite reads 7 of 32 (tough) but it's a one-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so it shouldn't outweigh volume; ESPN's Cockcroft also likes the Arizona matchup for him.
  • Main risk is the 48% snap share and 8% target share — this is still a shared backfield, which caps the ceiling if Seattle stays balanced.

Latest on Price

Role

Price will start at running back for Seattle in Week 2 at Arizona after rushing for 52 yards on 10 carries (5.2 yards/attempt) and catching 2 passes for 6 yards in his NFL debut against New England.

SI.com (OnSI), Yahoo Sports (Seahawks Wire) · Sep 17, 2026
Jadarian Price Looking Forward To Playing Against Former Teammate Jeremiyah Love

Seahawks rookie Jadarian Price is looking forward to playing against his former teammate and Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love on Sunday.

seahawks.com · Sep 14, 2026
Jadarian Price To Get First NFL Action In Week 1

Seahawks first-round draft pick Jadarian Price is “super excited” to play in Week 1.

seahawks.com · Sep 5, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDalton SchultzJadarian Price
Projected points
Consensus rankTE21RB23
Opponent vs positionCIN · 4 of 321-game sampleARI · 7 of 321-game sample
Receptions5 of 321 of 32
Receiving Yards6 of 322 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 32—
Targets6 of 32—
Anytime TD1 of 3213 of 32
Rushing Yards—4 of 32
Rushing TDs—15 of 32
Rushing Attempts—8 of 32
Target share22%8%
Reception share15%12%
Implied total · spread24.5-2.527.3-10.0
Depth chartTE1RB1
Snap share66%48%
Start/Sit record—0–0+1 toss-up

Recent form

Dalton Schultz — last 1 week

Week 1vs BUF

Jadarian Price — last 1 week

Week 1vs NE

Signal breakdown

  • 8.0 vs 13.2 projected PPR pointsJadarian Price +
  • Rank 21 vs 23Dalton Schultz +
  • Opponent DvP rank 4 vs 7 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 24.5 vs 27.3 team pointsJadarian Price +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 66% vs 48% snap shareDalton Schultz +

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