Who Should I Start? Jaylen Waddle or Chase Brown


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

Jaylen Waddle Draws Praise From Sean Payton

Friday, July 10, 4:29 PM

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton appears to be excited about adding speedy wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to his offense in 2026, and he's been impressed with him this offseason, according to Susanna Weir of the team's official website. "He's someone who picks things up real quick," Payton said in June. "You can just feel his instincts, his quickness and his ability to not only run fast but stop fast. So, he's doing well." Payton said there was a "crystal-clear vision" for the former sixth overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2021 when they sent a first-rounder to Miami to acquire Waddle this offseason. He had three 1,000-yard seasons in his first five years in Miami and has averaged 81 catches for 1,098 yards and six touchdowns per year. Payton loves the versatility and flexibility that the 27-year-old brings to the fold. The Broncos already have Courtland Sutton, who has been their clear WR1 for years, but Waddle brings a different dynamic and could immediately become quarterback Bo Nix's most targeted wideout as Denver's offense looks to become more dynamic and explosive. Waddle's 15.0 yards per catch since 2022 are the third-most in the NFL, and he led the league in 2022 with 18.1 yards per catch. In his new digs, Waddle's fantasy stock is back on the rise, and he should be targeted as a low-end WR2 with upside in 2026.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
15.5 57.7 0.4 3.7 24.3 0.2

Chase Brown News

Chase Brown a Locked-in RB1 for 2026

Friday, July 3, 5:13 AM

It took Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown until Week 7 of the 2025 season to post a weekly fantasy finish inside the top 20, but from that point forward, he never looked back. Brown finished as the RB19 or better in each of his final 11 games, only twice finishing outside the top 15. The team's mid-season trade for veteran quarterback Joe Flacco helped to steady a faltering offense without three-time Pro Bowler Joe Burrow, and Brown was perhaps the biggest benefactor, finishing as the RB7 from that point forward. With Burrow at full health and Flacco back under contract to back him up, Brown's high floor remains very much intact, while a projected philosophical shift could help to raise his ceiling in 2026. Brown was one of the league's most explosive runners when the team went under center, but with the Bengals ranking 31st in the league in that category, he rarely had the opportunity to take advantage. Reports out of minicamp have suggested that the team could mix in more under-center runs, and even a modest increase, along with the offensive consistency allowed by the presumed health at quarterback, could have Brown flirting with a top-five finish. Heading into the year, he is RotoBaller's RB10, and drafters should again feel comfortable making Brown their RB1 in 2026.


Jaylen Waddle vs. Chase Brown

Still trying to decide between Waddle and Brown? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jaylen Waddle is projected to score 12.2 points this week while Chase Brown is projected to score 15.5 points.