Who Should I Start? DK Metcalf or Jaylen Waddle

BENCH

Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
11.3 0.6 0.0 3.6 53.2 0.4

DK Metcalf News

DK Metcalf Expected to be Ready for Week 1

Monday, August 31, 11:26 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (undisclosed) is going to be eased in, but he is expected to be ready to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Metcalf missed a good chunk of time in training camp this summer with an undisclosed ailment, but he was able to return to practice last week and should be active to kick off the regular season. Fantasy managers setting lineups for Week 1 do not exactly want to hear that the 28-year-old is being eased in, though, which means he could be on a snap count, along with Michael Pittman Jr. (hamstring). Not only will Metcalf be working with an aging quarterback in the final year of his career in 2026, but he will have added competition for targets from Pittman, so fantasy managers should not just assume he will bounce back from a 59-850-6 line in 15 regular-season games in 2025 in his first year in the Steel City. With a minor injury concern heading into his eighth year in the NFL, Metcalf is more of a WR3/flex with touchdown upside in 2026 fantasy drafts.

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Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
12.2 0.8 0.0 4.4 57.8 0.3

Jaylen Waddle News

Broncos Say Jaylen Waddle is "Going to Play Everywhere"

Tuesday, August 25, 7:36 PM

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle "is going to play everywhere except offensive line," offensive coordinator Davis Webb told Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. These remarks obviously come with a little sarcasm, as Waddle obviously isn't going to line up in the trenches, nor do we expect him to throw any passes. With that being said, it's still fair to read into these comments and wonder if we might see some design rushing attempts for Waddle out of the backfield, as well as a very heavy dose of snaps in the slot and out wide. Denver gave up a first-round pick in the package for the young receiver, so it makes sense that they want to get him involved in as many ways as possible. He had 910 yards and six touchdowns last season, and those numbers should only increase as he gets a quarterback upgrade with Bo Nix throwing to him. Waddle currently ranks as the WR20 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings, 20 spots ahead of teammate Courtland Sutton.

DK Metcalf vs. Jaylen Waddle

Still trying to decide between Metcalf and Waddle? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that DK Metcalf is projected to score 11.3 points this week while Jaylen Waddle is projected to score 12.2 points.