Dalton Schultz or Jaylen Waddle: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 3 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Too close to call — the edges cancel out.

Dalton Schultz and Jaylen Waddle grade out even this week. Schultz's best edge is the game script (23.5 implied points to 21.3), Waddle's best edge is the projection (13.1 to 11.0) — and they cancel out. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.

Dalton Schultz

Dalton Schultz

TE21HOUvs IND

Projected Points

Start· low
Jaylen Waddle

Jaylen Waddle

WR21DENvs LAR

Projected Points

Toss-Up

Dalton Schultz’s market

REC
O/U 5.5
+111 / -141
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 48.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+220
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Jaylen Waddle’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-157 / +123
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 58.5
-115 / -115
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+190
Anytime Touchdown Props →
HOU@
INDSun, Sep 27, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
LAR@
DENSun, Sep 27, 8:20 PM ETView the game →

Why Dalton Schultz

Start· low

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

  • IND ranks 23 of 32 against TEs (one of the softer matchups, 2-game sample).
  • Vegas implies 23.5 team points as 1.5-point favorites.
  • Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 67% snap share.

The call

Latest on Schultz

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Jaylen Waddle

Toss-Up

Starting WR2 with elite separation speed. Twitchy route runner and vertical threat working opposite the X.

Toss-up — WR21 consensus, projects WR19 this week: 23% target share, 13.1 PPR projected vs LAR.

  • LAR ranks 12 of 32 against WRs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 3-game sample).
  • Vegas implies 21.3 team points as 3.0-point underdogs.
  • Listed WR on the latest depth chart with a 70% snap share.

Latest on Waddle

Role

Waddle drew 10 targets and caught eight passes last week, accounting for more than half of Denver's air yards.

How to bet Rams-Broncos on 'SNF': Analysis, tips and favorite playsESPN · Sep 27, 2026
Role

Jaylen Waddle was heavily featured in Denver's win, catching eight passes for 138 yards.

Newcomers Jaylen Waddle, Jonah Coleman lead Broncos to winESPN · Sep 22, 2026
'That's only the tip of the iceberg for him': WR Jaylen Waddle showcases explosive playmaking ability in home debut

“You can see the explosiveness, the run after the catch, all of those things,” Head Coach Sean Payton said. “I’m glad he’s ours.”

denverbroncos.com · Sep 20, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDalton SchultzJaylen Waddle
Projected points
Consensus rankTE21WR21
Opponent vs positionIND · 23 of 322-game sampleLAR · 12 of 323-game sample
Receptions29 of 321 of 32
Receiving Yards29 of 326 of 32
Receiving TDs15 of 3225 of 32
Targets29 of 325 of 32
Anytime TD13 of 3225 of 32
Target share25%23%
Reception share29%20%
Implied total · spread23.5-1.521.3+3.0
Depth chartTE1WR1
Snap share67%70%
Start/Sit record—1–0

Recent form

Dalton Schultz — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs CIN
Week 1vs BUF

Jaylen Waddle — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs JAX
Week 1vs KC

Signal breakdown

  • 11.0 vs 13.1 projected PPR pointsJaylen Waddle +
  • Rank 21 vs 21Dalton Schultz +
  • Opponent DvP rank 23 vs 12 (32 = softest)Dalton Schultz +
  • Implied 23.5 vs 21.3 team pointsDalton Schultz +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 67% vs 70% snap shareJaylen Waddle +

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