Jalen McMillan or Pat Freiermuth: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 3 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Start Freiermuth — the consensus rank and availability edges are too wide to ignore.
Pat Freiermuth is the higher consensus play (TE24 to WR57) and is the healthier side of this call (McMillan carries a Q tag). McMillan's edge is the game script, 23.0 implied points to 22.5. The gap is wide.
Jalen McMillan
3.84.85.8 Projected Points
Pat Freiermuth
4.66.48.3 Projected Points
Jalen McMillan’s market
Pat Freiermuth’s market
Why Jalen McMillan
SitWR3 with vertical speed and red-zone knack. Injuries limited 2025 sample; upside as third option.
Sit — bench-tier WR at consensus WR57: 3% target share, Questionable on the latest report.
- Carries a Questionable tag — usually plays, but monitor the final report.
- MIN ranks 21 of 32 against WRs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 3-game sample).
- Vegas implies 23.0 team points as 1.5-point favorites.
- Listed WR-3 on the latest depth chart with a 3% snap share.
Latest on McMillan
Jalen McMillan will undergo an MRI after injuring his left knee.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield has dislocated thumb, will undergo MRIESPN · Sep 27, 2026Jalen McMillan suffered a knee injury in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings and has been ruled out.
Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan suffers knee injury vs. VikingsESPN · Sep 27, 2026McMillan missed most of training camp with a knee injury but progressed to full participation in practice last week.
Jalen McMillan Getting "Back into It," Communication is Key in Facing Brian Flores' Blitz-Centric Defense | Bucs Blitzbuccaneers.com · Sep 25, 2026Jenna Laine reports on the injuries the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sustained during their 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Jenna Laine reports on the injuries the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sustained during their 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
On Thursday, Larry Foote discussed the defensive line’s mentality entering Week Two after falling short of expectations in the season opener, Zac Robinson dished on Jalen McMillan’s separation skills and Tristan Wirfs chatted on his matchup with Jared Verse
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Why Pat Freiermuth
StartTE1 in pass-catching role. Reliable chain-mover with red-zone size and dependable hands.
Start — TE24 consensus, projects TE22 this week: 13% target share, 8.3 PPR projected vs CIN.
- CIN ranks 19 of 32 against TEs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 3-game sample).
- Vegas implies 22.5 team points as 1.5-point underdogs.
- Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 66% snap share.
Latest on Freiermuth
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Jalen McMillan | Pat Freiermuth |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 3.84.85.8 | 4.66.48.3 |
| Consensus rank | WR57 | TE24 |
| Opponent vs position | MIN · 21 of 323-game sample | CIN · 19 of 323-game sample |
| Receptions | 22 of 32 | 30 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 25 of 32 | 31 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | 14 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Targets | 30 of 32 | 30 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 13 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Target share | 3% | 13% |
| Reception share | 0% | 17% |
| Implied total · spread | 23.0-1.5 | 22.5+1.5 |
| Depth chart | WR3 | TE1 |
| Snap share | 3% | 66% |
| Injury designation | Q | — |
Recent form
Jalen McMillan — last 2 weeks
| Week 2 | vs CLE | 0.00.00.0 |
| Week 1 | vs CIN | 0.00.00.0 |
Pat Freiermuth — last 2 weeks
| Week 2 | vs NE | 3.45.47.4 |
| Week 1 | vs ATL | 10.613.115.6 |
Signal breakdown
- 5.8 vs 8.3 projected PPR pointsPat Freiermuth +
- Rank 57 vs 24Pat Freiermuth +
- Opponent DvP rank 21 vs 19 (32 = softest)Jalen McMillan +
- Implied 23.0 vs 22.5 team pointsJalen McMillan +
- Q vs no designationPat Freiermuth +
- 3% vs 66% snap sharePat Freiermuth +
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