DK Metcalf or Jadarian Price: Who Should You Start?

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

Price’s starting role and Seattle’s script narrowly edge Metcalf’s elite volume

Price gets the nod because Seattle’s expected positive script gives his newly announced starting role more rushing and touchdown equity than Metcalf’s difficult environment offers (SI.com (OnSI) 2026-09-17). Metcalf’s near-every-down usage and 27% target share are the stronger volume foundation, but Christian Gonzalez shadowing him threatens his vertical-play ceiling (Steelers.com 2026-09-17). This is a narrow call: Price’s limited snap history and rookie uncertainty are the risk, while Metcalf becomes the better play if Pittsburgh has to throw relentlessly.

What flips it: A late change to Price’s starting role.

Sources: Steelers.com · Sep 17, 2026 · SI.com (OnSI) · Sep 17, 2026

AI editor

DK Metcalf

DK Metcalf

WR32PITvs NE

Projected Points

Toss-Up
Jadarian Price

Jadarian Price

RB23SEAvs ARI

Projected Points

Start· medium

DK Metcalf’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
+106 / -135
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 56.5
-110 / -114
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+255
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Jadarian Price’s market

RUSH YDS
O/U 60.5
-113 / -111
REC
O/U 1.5
-122 / -105
REC YDS
O/U 7.5
-118 / -106
ATD
Anytime TD
+130
PIT@
NESun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
SEA@
ARISun, Sep 20, 4:25 PM ETView the game →

Why DK Metcalf

Toss-Up

WR1 and primary vertical threat. Rare size-speed combination, dominant on go balls and back-shoulder throws.

Toss-up — WR32 consensus, projects WR25 this week: 27% target share, 12.2 PPR projected vs NE.

  • Metcalf’s near-every-down role keeps his floor alive even if Gonzalez limits the vertical game.
  • His target share supplies strong volume, but he needs difficult downfield wins to reach his ceiling.

Latest on Metcalf

Role

Metcalf only left the field in Week 1 for kneel-down situations, played 86.7% of his snaps aligned outside, and posted a 27% target share (up from 19% in 2025) while averaging over 20 air yards per target.

Steelers.com · Sep 17, 2026

Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez, who shadowed Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a no-catch day in Week 1, is expected to follow and shadow Metcalf in Week 2, which could limit Metcalf's production as Pittsburgh's top target.

Steelers.com · Sep 17, 2026

Why Jadarian Price

Start· medium

Rookie RB atop the depth chart. Explosive, home-run-speed runner with no prior NFL sample.

Named the Week 2 starter with Seattle a 10-point favorite and a 27.3 implied total — RB23 projection in a run-heavy script beats replacement.

  • The starting-role news matters more than Price’s debut snap share and points to a larger workload.
  • Seattle’s projected game control creates touchdown equity; the rookie’s thin NFL résumé is the cost.

The call

  • Role is confirmed, not projected: Price will start at running back after 10 carries for 52 yards (5.2 YPC) plus 2 catches in his debut, and he's listed as the RB on the depth chart.
  • Game script is ideal — Seattle is favored by 10 with a 27.3 implied total, the profile that turns a starting back into fourth-quarter carries and goal-line work.
  • The DvP composite reads 7 of 32 (tough) but it's a one-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so it shouldn't outweigh volume; ESPN's Cockcroft also likes the Arizona matchup for him.
  • Main risk is the 48% snap share and 8% target share — this is still a shared backfield, which caps the ceiling if Seattle stays balanced.

Latest on Price

Role

Price will start at running back for Seattle in Week 2 at Arizona after rushing for 52 yards on 10 carries (5.2 yards/attempt) and catching 2 passes for 6 yards in his NFL debut against New England.

SI.com (OnSI), Yahoo Sports (Seahawks Wire) · Sep 17, 2026
Jadarian Price Looking Forward To Playing Against Former Teammate Jeremiyah Love

Seahawks rookie Jadarian Price is looking forward to playing against his former teammate and Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love on Sunday.

seahawks.com · Sep 14, 2026
Jadarian Price To Get First NFL Action In Week 1

Seahawks first-round draft pick Jadarian Price is “super excited” to play in Week 1.

seahawks.com · Sep 5, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDK MetcalfJadarian Price
Projected points
Consensus rankWR32RB23
Opponent vs positionNE · 15 of 321-game sampleARI · 7 of 321-game sample
Receptions15 of 321 of 32
Receiving Yards21 of 322 of 32
Receiving TDs13 of 32—
Targets15 of 32—
Anytime TD13 of 3213 of 32
Rushing Yards—4 of 32
Rushing TDs—15 of 32
Rushing Attempts—8 of 32
Target share27%8%
Reception share17%12%
Implied total · spread19.5+4.527.3-10.0
Depth chartWR1RB1
Snap share96%48%
Start/Sit record0–10–0+1 toss-up

Recent form

DK Metcalf — last 1 week

Week 1vs ATL

Jadarian Price — last 1 week

Week 1vs NE

Signal breakdown

  • 12.2 vs 13.2 projected PPR pointsJadarian Price +
  • Rank 32 vs 23Jadarian Price +
  • Opponent DvP rank 15 vs 7 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 19.5 vs 27.3 team pointsJadarian Price +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 96% vs 48% snap shareDK Metcalf +

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