Denzel Boston or Jake Ferguson: Who Should You Start?

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

Ferguson’s scoring runway narrowly beats Boston’s stronger catch volume

Ferguson gets the narrow nod: Dallas’ stronger scoring outlook and his TE1, red-zone role give him a more plausible path to touchdowns, while Boston has the steadier catch-volume case. Boston’s Week 2 five-catch, 95-yard score (clevelandbrowns.com 2026-09-22) backs his START verdict, but Cleveland’s lower scoring outlook limits the ceiling. Ferguson’s risk is real: his light target involvement can leave you needing a Dak red-zone look, as the Cowboys’ touchdown connection illustrates (dallascowboys.com 2026-09-20).

What flips it: Boston earning consistent red-zone targets rather than relying on contested catches.

Sources: clevelandbrowns.com · Sep 22, 2026 · dallascowboys.com · Sep 20, 2026

AI editor

Denzel Boston

Denzel Boston

WR59CLEvs CAR

Projected Points

Start
Jake Ferguson

Jake Ferguson

TE12DALvs BAL

Projected Points

Toss-Up· medium

Denzel Boston’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
+310

Jake Ferguson’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-116 / -110
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 27.5
-114 / -110
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+285
Anytime Touchdown Props →
CAR@
CLESun, Sep 27, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
BAL@
DALSun, Sep 27, 4:25 PM ETView the game →

Why Denzel Boston

Start

Rookie WR starting in the third receiver spot. Big-bodied contested-catch X with red-zone appeal; no NFL sample.

Start — WR59 consensus, projects WR38 this week: 19.0 implied team total caps the ceiling, 21% target share.

  • Boston’s contested-catch profile gives his involvement a path to high-value plays, not just routine receptions.
  • He remains a sound START; the call against him is about ceiling, not a lack of opportunity.

Latest on Boston

Role

Denzel Boston recorded five receptions for 95 receiving yards and one touchdown in Week 2.

Denzel Boston nominated for NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 2clevelandbrowns.com · Sep 22, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Jake Ferguson

Toss-Up· medium

TE1 and high-volume receiving tight end. Reliable chain-mover and red-zone target over the middle.

TE12 at 8.7 points with only a 10% target share — Ferguson needs a Dak red-zone look to clear replacement level vs a middling BAL matchup.

  • Ferguson’s TE1 chain-moving role gives him ways to contribute beyond a single end-zone catch.
  • Dallas’ scoring outlook gives his red-zone skill a stronger setting than Boston has this week.

The call

  • Consensus has him as the TE12 at 8.7 projected PPR points — literally the last startable line in a 12-team league, so he's a coin flip against any comparable streamer.
  • Role is secure (68% snap share, no injury designation) but the volume hasn't followed: a 10% target share through two games is thin for a TE you'd trust weekly.
  • Game environment helps — 24.5 implied team total and a tight 2.5-point spread means Dallas should be throwing in scoring range, and the sourced reports note Prescott has already connected with him for a score.
  • Baltimore grades 13 of 32 vs the position (32 = softest) on a two-game sample with zero confidence, so the matchup neither saves nor sinks him. A touchdown-dependent TE tips to start only if your alternative is below the TE15 range.

Latest on Ferguson

Cowboys' TD record: I caught a TD pass from Dak Prescott

Prescott passed Tony Romo in the record book, so we bring you the best moments from those who helped him make history.

ESPN · Sep 20, 2026
Starlights: Dak Prescott connects with Jake Ferguson again

The first matchup of the 2026 season between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders is littered with headlines as the bitter rivals square off to ruin the other's week.

dallascowboys.com · Sep 20, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDenzel BostonJake Ferguson
Projected points
Consensus rankWR59TE12
Opponent vs positionCAR · 15 of 322-game sampleBAL · 13 of 322-game sample
Receptions26 of 329 of 32
Receiving Yards17 of 3215 of 32
Receiving TDs7 of 3215 of 32
Targets16 of 3211 of 32
Anytime TD7 of 3213 of 32
Target share21%10%
Reception share18%13%
Implied total · spread19.0+1.524.5+2.5
Depth chartWR1TE1
Snap share93%68%
Start/Sit record—1–1+1 toss-up

Recent form

Denzel Boston — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs TB
Week 1vs JAX

Jake Ferguson — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs WSH
Week 1vs NYG

Signal breakdown

  • 11.3 vs 8.7 projected PPR pointsDenzel Boston +
  • Rank 59 vs 12Jake Ferguson +
  • Opponent DvP rank 15 vs 13 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 19.0 vs 24.5 team pointsJake Ferguson +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 93% vs 68% snap shareDenzel Boston +

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