Who Should I Start? Jalen Tolbert or Zachariah Branch


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
4.1 0.0 0.0 1.5 18.9 0.1

Jalen Tolbert News

Can Jalen Tolbert Find Fantasy Relevance in a Wide-Open Dolphins Receiver Room?

Saturday, June 20, 6:01 AM

After four up-and-down seasons with the Cowboys, wide receiver Jalen Tolbert signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the Miami Dolphins, and after spending 2025 behind one of the league's top tandems in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, he now finds himself in arguably the most wide-open receiver room in the NFL. Tolbert's 49 receptions in 2024 are the highest single-season total of any wide receiver on Miami's roster, topped only by running back De'Von Achane, who has averaged more than 72 catches per year over the past two seasons. The Dolphins spent heavily on the position in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell in the third round before taking Kevin Coleman Jr. in round five, but Tolbert's versatility could allow him to carve out an early role in a room rounded out by Tutu Atwell and incumbent Malik Washington. On average, no Dolphins receiver is going earlier than round 18 in 2026 drafts, with Tolbert ranked as RotoBaller's WR91. While history would suggest at least one player will outperform ADP, a true fantasy ceiling is still capped in what projects to be one of the league's lowest scoring offenses, and Tolbert will be difficult to trust anywhere outside of best ball formats.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
4.4 0.0 0.0 1.7 20.7 0.1

Zachariah Branch News

Zachariah Branch Carries Sleeper Appeal into 2026

Sunday, June 28, 11:59 AM

After recording 81 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns across 14 games for the University of Georgia in 2025, wide receiver Zachariah Branch was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have a clear top two in their target pecking order in wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. However, Branch's top competition for the WR2 role behind London currently projects to be veteran wideouts Olamide Zaccheaus and Jahan Dotson. Branch is clearly the highest upside option of the three and could be a significant piece of the Atlanta offense right away with a strong performance in training camp and the preseason. If Tua Tagovailoa opens the year as the Falcons QB1, Branch's ability to win from the slot could be a strong fit with Tagovailoa's preference to get the ball out quickly. As the WR70 by redraft ADP, Branch could be a sneaky sleeper for fantasy managers to target.


Jalen Tolbert vs. Zachariah Branch

Still trying to decide between Tolbert and Branch? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jalen Tolbert is projected to score 4.1 points this week while Zachariah Branch is projected to score 4.4 points.