Dalton Schultz or Quinshon Judkins: Who Should You Start?

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

Schultz has the better environment; Judkins has the sturdier workload

Schultz benefits from Houston’s stronger scoring outlook, giving his receiving role room to overcome a difficult Cincinnati matchup. Judkins counters with feature-back volume and a goal-line role, but Cleveland’s lower scoring expectation and modest passing involvement leave more riding on rushing efficiency. The projection gap is meaningful at tight end, yet Judkins’ workload keeps this level overall; Schultz is the preferred start, while Judkins remains viable if you want volume.

What flips it: A confirmed expansion of Judkins’ receiving role.

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

AI editor

In standard and half-PPR scoring this flips to Judkins.

Dalton Schultz

Dalton Schultz

TE21HOUvs CIN

Projected Points

Start
Quinshon Judkins

Quinshon Judkins

RB19CLEvs TB

Projected Points

Toss-Up

Dalton Schultz’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-140 / +110
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 41.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+225
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Quinshon Judkins’s market

RUSH YDS
O/U 49.5
-115 / -109
Rushing Yards Props →
REC
O/U 2.5
+150 / -193
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 11.5
-114 / -110
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+165
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 consensus, projects TE18 this week: CIN is the 4th-toughest matchup vs TEs, 24.5 implied team total.

  • SI/Texans On SI 2026-09-14 confirms Schultz as Houston’s lead receiving tight end, clarifying his target path.
  • Houston’s scoring outlook gives Schultz more room to overcome a difficult TE matchup.

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 Quinshon Judkins

Toss-Up

RB1 and feature back. Powerful one-cut runner with heavy volume and goal-line role.

Toss-up — RB19 consensus, projects RB26 this week: 18.5 implied team total caps the ceiling, 9% target share.

  • Judkins’ goal-line role can erase his passing-game floor if Cleveland sustains drives.
  • His feature-back workload is the strongest argument against overreacting to the lower team total.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDalton SchultzQuinshon Judkins
Projected points
Consensus rankTE21RB19
Opponent vs positionCIN · 4 of 321-game sampleTB · 19 of 321-game sample
Receptions5 of 3230 of 32
Receiving Yards6 of 3228 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 32—
Targets6 of 32—
Anytime TD1 of 3213 of 32
Rushing Yards—12 of 32
Rushing TDs—15 of 32
Rushing Attempts—16 of 32
Target share22%9%
Reception share15%13%
Implied total · spread24.5-2.518.5+5.5
Depth chartTE1RB1
Snap share66%65%
Start/Sit record—0–1

Recent form

Dalton Schultz — last 1 week

Week 1vs BUF

Quinshon Judkins — last 1 week

Week 1vs JAX

Signal breakdown

  • 8.9 vs 12.0 projected PPR pointsQuinshon Judkins +
  • Rank 21 vs 19Quinshon Judkins +
  • Opponent DvP rank 4 vs 19 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 24.5 vs 18.5 team pointsDalton Schultz +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 66% vs 65% snap shareDalton Schultz +

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