Juwan Johnson or Tyler Warren: Who Should You Start?

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

Warren's every-down role gives him the edge over Johnson

Tyler Warren's stronger standing at the position and more secure usage make him the better TE play, even though the matchup itself leans slightly toward Johnson. Warren's role creates a sturdier floor, while his move-piece usage adds paths to points beyond standard targets. Johnson remains viable because his big-bodied red-zone profile and softer DvP matchup could matter if New Orleans converts its limited scoring chances. The risk with Warren is that Kansas City suppresses a modest game environment, allowing Johnson's matchup edge to decide the week.

What flips it: A confirmed expansion of Johnson's red-zone role.

AI editor

Juwan Johnson

Juwan Johnson

TE16NOvs BAL

Projected Points

Toss-Up· medium
Tyler Warren

Tyler Warren

TE4INDvs KC

Projected Points

Start

Juwan Johnson’s market

ATD
Anytime TD
+250
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Tyler Warren’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
-135 / +106
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 42.5
-114 / -114
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+245
Anytime Touchdown Props →
NO@
BALSun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
IND@
KCSun, Sep 20, 8:20 PM ETView the game →

Why Juwan Johnson

Toss-Up· medium

TE1 and high-volume pass-catcher. Big-bodied converted receiver who is a red-zone and intermediate mismatch.

TE16 with an 84% snap share and 14% target share, but a 19.5 implied total and a rank-12 DvP matchup cap the ceiling.

  • Johnson's big-bodied red-zone role gives him a direct path to beating Warren if New Orleans reaches scoring range.
  • The apparent DvP edge is based on a one-game sample with zero confidence, so it is difficult to trust fully.

The call

  • Role is locked in: 84% snap share and a 14% target share make him the clear TE1 in this offense, which is why he holds TE16 value at 8.9 projected points.
  • The matchup works against him — Baltimore grades 12 of 32 versus tight ends (32 = softest), and the sample is one game with 0.00 confidence, so there's no soft spot to chase.
  • Vegas paints a low-scoring day for New Orleans: 19.5 implied team total as a 7.5-point underdog. Chasing points should keep the passing volume up, but red-zone equity is thin.
  • Tip it toward start if your alternative is a committee TE with sub-70% snaps; sit him if you have a TE attached to a team totaling 24-plus.

Latest on Johnson

NFL fantasy outlook for Saints in 2026? Etienne, Johnson, rookie WRs

With Alvin Kamara sidelined, fantasy managers are left to wonder who will pick up the carries for New Orleans.

ESPN · Sep 7, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Tyler Warren

Start

TE1 and high-volume mismatch receiver. Move-piece with contested-catch strength and gadget rushing usage.

Start — every-week TE start at consensus TE4: 17% target share, 11.4 PPR projected vs KC.

  • Warren's move-piece role creates rushing and contested-catch avenues beyond ordinary tight-end targets.
  • His TE4 standing reflects a weekly reliability Johnson has not established, making the modest projection gap more meaningful.

Latest on Warren

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricJuwan JohnsonTyler Warren
Projected points
Consensus rankTE16TE4
Opponent vs positionBAL · 12 of 321-game sampleKC · 20 of 321-game sample
Receptions5 of 3218 of 32
Receiving Yards2 of 3217 of 32
Receiving TDs21 of 3221 of 32
Targets11 of 3222 of 32
Anytime TD20 of 3220 of 32
Target share14%17%
Reception share9%16%
Implied total · spread19.5+7.520.5+6.5
Depth chartTE1TE1
Snap share84%93%
Start/Sit record0–0+2 toss-ups—

Recent form

Juwan Johnson — last 1 week

Week 1vs DET

Tyler Warren — last 1 week

Week 1vs BAL

Signal breakdown

  • 8.9 vs 11.4 projected PPR pointsTyler Warren +
  • Rank 16 vs 4Tyler Warren +
  • Opponent DvP rank 12 vs 20 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 19.5 vs 20.5 team pointsTyler Warren +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 84% vs 93% snap shareTyler Warren +

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