Dalton Schultz or Rhamondre Stevenson: Who Should You Start?

Preliminary board

2026 Week 4 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Verdicts sharpen as practice reports land.

Schultz’s target concentration answers Stevenson’s broader lead-back role

Schultz’s concentrated middle-of-field work and Houston’s stronger scoring outlook answer Stevenson’s higher projection, so the gap doesn’t settle the call. That projected edge matters at tight end, but Schultz’s better positional standing and larger target share give him a credible counterweight. Stevenson brings the sturdier rushing workload and receiving involvement; Schultz’s risk is a quiet week if his targets don’t convert, while Stevenson’s is a trailing script cutting into carries. Keep both in the starting mix: neither profile separates enough to move the model off even.

What flips it: A sustained expansion of Stevenson’s passing-down role.

AI editor

In standard scoring this flips to Stevenson.

Dalton Schultz

Dalton Schultz

TE21HOUvs DAL

Projected Points

Start· low
Rhamondre Stevenson

Rhamondre Stevenson

RB26NEvs BUF

Projected Points

Start· medium

Dalton Schultz’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
+170
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Rhamondre Stevenson’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
+145
Anytime Touchdown Props →
DAL@
HOUSun, Oct 4, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
NE@
BUFSun, Oct 4, 1:00 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.

22% target share in an offense implied for 25.0 points gives Schultz a usable floor, though his TE21 consensus rank sits outside TE1 range.

  • His chain-moving role gives his target volume a steadier path than a touchdown-dependent tight end.
  • Houston’s stronger scoring outlook gives Schultz’s catches more chances to support a useful fantasy day.

The call

  • Usage is the selling point. A 22% target share through 3 games is strong volume for a tight end, and he carries no injury designation.
  • Game environment helps. An implied team total of 25.0 as a 2.5-point favorite points to a productive, balanced script with scoring chances.
  • The matchup is mildly favorable at 21 of 32 against the position. It rests on a 3-game sample with 0.25 confidence, so it adds little.
  • The risk is his ceiling. A 63% snap share and a 9.0-point projection at TE21 make him a streaming-level start. Any healthy top-12 tight end should start over him.

Latest on Schultz

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Rhamondre Stevenson

Start· medium

RB1 and lead back. Physical between-the-tackles runner with reliable receiving-game involvement.

Flex-worthy RB26 with a 58% snap share, 13% target share and a softer-leaning run-defense matchup (24 of 32) in a 23.3-point implied offense.

  • Between-the-tackles work gives Stevenson a rushing foundation beyond his receiving contribution.
  • His receiving involvement offers a way to stay useful if New England falls behind.

The call

  • Role is stable: a 58% snap share and 13% target share over 3 games give him a reliable PPR floor through the passing game, not just carries.
  • The matchup leans soft at 24 of 32 in the DvP composite, but it rests on a 3-game sample at 0.25 confidence, so treat it as a mild tailwind rather than a smash spot.
  • A 23.3 implied team total points to a competent scoring environment with goal-line chances, supporting the 11.6-point projection.
  • At RB26 he is a flex play, not a locked RB2. Start him over typical replacement-level options, but he is benchable if you have a clearly higher-ranked flex.

Latest on Stevenson

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDalton SchultzRhamondre Stevenson
Projected points
Consensus rankTE21RB26
Opponent vs positionDAL · 21 of 323-game sampleBUF · 24 of 323-game sample
Receptions19 of 3229 of 32
Receiving Yards19 of 3231 of 32
Receiving TDs27 of 32—
Targets13 of 32—
Anytime TD26 of 3230 of 32
Rushing Yards—15 of 32
Rushing TDs—17 of 32
Rushing Attempts—19 of 32
Target share22%13%
Reception share26%16%
Implied total · spread25.0-2.523.3+3.0
Depth chartTE1RB1
Snap share63%58%
Start/Sit record0–11–1+1 toss-up

Recent form

Dalton Schultz — last 3 weeks

Week 3vs IND
Week 2vs CIN
Week 1vs BUF

Rhamondre Stevenson — last 3 weeks

Week 3vs JAX
Week 2vs PIT
Week 1vs SEA

Signal breakdown

  • 9.0 vs 11.6 projected PPR pointsRhamondre Stevenson +
  • Rank 21 vs 26Dalton Schultz +
  • Opponent DvP rank 21 vs 24 (32 = softest)Rhamondre Stevenson +
  • Implied 25.0 vs 23.3 team pointsDalton Schultz +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 63% vs 58% snap shareDalton Schultz +

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