Mark Andrews or Xavier Worthy: Who Should You Start?

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

Andrews' red-zone role edges Worthy's one-play upside

Andrews gets the nod because his red-zone mismatch and stronger target share give him a more dependable path to points, even with Worthy projected higher. Worthy's friendlier matchup and vertical speed give him real flex upside. But the 1.2-point projection gap is small, and Andrews' positional standing and role make this a narrow preference—not a reason to bench Worthy if you need a flex.

What flips it: If Worthy turns his vertical role into a long touchdown.

AI editor

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews

TE15BALvs DAL

Projected Points

Start· medium
Xavier Worthy

Xavier Worthy

WR49KCvs MIA

Projected Points

Start· low

Mark Andrews’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
+100 / -127
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 40.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+125
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Xavier Worthy’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-108 / -118
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 38.5
-114 / -110
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+195
Anytime Touchdown Props →
BAL@
DALSun, Sep 27, 4:25 PM ETView the game →
KC@
MIASun, Sep 27, 1:00 PM ETView the game →

Why Mark Andrews

Start· medium

TE1 and red-zone mismatch. Veteran seam-stretcher with strong hands and quarterback rapport.

25% target share and 72% snaps in a 27.0-point implied offense make Andrews a viable TE1 fringe start at TE15 despite a neutral DAL matchup.

  • His red-zone role gives Andrews a scoring path beyond relying on a single touchdown.
  • With a neutral matchup, the case rests on his role rather than a soft-defense boost.

The call

  • Usage is the driver: a 25% target share over 2 games is elite for a tight end, and his 72% snap share locks him into the base role.
  • Game environment helps. A 27.0 implied team total with a -2.5 spread points to a competitive, scoring-friendly script with red-zone chances.
  • The matchup is neutral at best. DAL ranks 21 of 32 in the DvP composite, but that rests on a 2-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so it shouldn't move the call much either way.
  • Risk: the 10.2 projection and TE15 rank put him in streamer territory, and the 2-game usage sample could regress. He still clears a typical replacement TE, and no injury designation removes availability concerns.

Why Xavier Worthy

Start· low

WR2 and vertical speed threat. Elite track speed with jet-motion and manufactured-touch usage.

82% snaps and a 19% target share in an offense implied for 26.0 points make Worthy a viable flex despite his WR49 rank.

  • Worthy's speed and manufactured touches give him a one-play ceiling Andrews doesn't match.
  • As a WR2 in a sizable-favorite game, his volume could be less reliable if KC doesn't need to throw.

The call

  • Role is locked in. Worthy is the WR-2 with an 82% snap share and a 19% target share over 2 games, which gives him a steady floor of opportunities.
  • Game environment helps. A 26.0 implied team total and a -7.5 spread point to a productive offense with plenty of scoring chances.
  • The matchup looks tough on paper at 5 of 32, but it rests on a 2-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so it shouldn't drive the call.
  • This is close to a coin flip. The WR49 rank and 11.4 projection put him at flex-fringe level. Start him over a typical replacement, but pivot to any flex option projected clearly above 11.4.

Latest on Worthy

Chiefs down Colts in OT thriller
VideoESPN · Sep 21, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricMark AndrewsXavier Worthy
Projected points
Consensus rankTE15WR49
Opponent vs positionDAL · 21 of 322-game sampleMIA · 5 of 322-game sample
Receptions21 of 327 of 32
Receiving Yards19 of 326 of 32
Receiving TDs26 of 326 of 32
Targets11 of 322 of 32
Anytime TD26 of 326 of 32
Target share25%19%
Reception share26%17%
Implied total · spread27.0-2.526.0-7.5
Depth chartTE1WR2
Snap share72%82%
Start/Sit record1–11–0+1 toss-up

Recent form

Mark Andrews — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs NO
Week 1vs IND

Xavier Worthy — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs IND
Week 1vs DEN

Signal breakdown

  • 10.2 vs 11.4 projected PPR pointsXavier Worthy +
  • Rank 15 vs 49Mark Andrews +
  • Opponent DvP rank 21 vs 5 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 27.0 vs 26.0 team pointsMark Andrews +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 72% vs 82% snap shareXavier Worthy +

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