Dalton Schultz or Trey McBride: Who Should You Start?

Preliminary board

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

Verdicts sharpen as practice reports land.

McBride’s target funnel beats Schultz’s better scoring setup

McBride gets the nod because his 37% target share and bigger role make the volume edge meaningful at a position where targets are scarce. Schultz counters with a strong receiving role and Houston’s better scoring outlook, keeping him a credible START rather than a sit. Arizona’s low implied total and large spread are the real risks; the two-game, zero-confidence matchup sample is too thin to make San Francisco’s rank decisive.

What flips it: If Arizona’s passing volume is sharply curtailed by the game script, Schultz’s better scoring environment could erase the edge.

AI editor

Dalton Schultz

Dalton Schultz

TE21HOUvs IND

Projected Points

Start
Trey McBride

Trey McBride

TE1ARIvs SF

Projected Points

Start

Dalton Schultz’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
+210
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Trey McBride’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
+260
Anytime Touchdown Props →
HOU@
INDSun, Sep 27, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
ARI@
SFSun, Sep 27, 4:05 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 TE15 this week: IND is the 10th-softest matchup vs TEs, 25% target share.

  • Schultz’s sure-handed work over the middle can keep Houston’s drives moving.
  • His better team scoring outlook gives him a path to useful production even behind McBride.

Why Trey McBride

Start

TE1 and offensive focal point. Elite target-volume receiving tight end with YAC power and All-Pro caliber production.

Start — every-week TE start at consensus TE1: SF is the 3rd-toughest matchup vs TEs, 17.5 implied team total caps the ceiling.

  • McBride’s YAC ability can create value even when Arizona’s offense stalls.
  • The risk is fewer sustained drives, not uncertainty about his place in the passing game.

Latest on McBride

A Trey McBride Start That Just Underscores How Great He's Become

Tight end uses Week 1 to shine once again

azcardinals.com · Sep 14, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDalton SchultzTrey McBride
Projected points
Consensus rankTE21TE1
Opponent vs positionIND · 23 of 322-game sampleSF · 3 of 322-game sample
Receptions29 of 324 of 32
Receiving Yards29 of 324 of 32
Receiving TDs15 of 321 of 32
Targets29 of 327 of 32
Anytime TD13 of 321 of 32
Target share25%37%
Reception share29%39%
Implied total · spread23.5-1.517.5+11.5
Depth chartTE1TE1
Snap share67%84%

Recent form

Dalton Schultz — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs CIN
Week 1vs BUF

Trey McBride — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs SEA
Week 1vs LAC

Signal breakdown

  • 9.5 vs 16.5 projected PPR pointsTrey McBride +
  • Rank 21 vs 1Trey McBride +
  • Opponent DvP rank 23 vs 3 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 23.5 vs 17.5 team pointsDalton Schultz +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 67% vs 84% snap shareTrey McBride +

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