Who Should I Start? Justin Jefferson or Ja'Marr Chase


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
16.0 0.4 0.0 6.0 77.3 0.4

Justin Jefferson News

Justin Jefferson Expected to Benefit From Improved Quarterback Play

Friday, September 4, 6:15 AM

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is expected to have improved quarterback play this season after Kyler Murray was named the team's Week 1 starter. Jefferson endured a revolving quarterback carousel of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer last year, making it impossible for him to reach his full potential in fantasy football. Prior to last year, the only time Jefferson had finished lower than WR6 in fantasy football was the season he missed seven games. However, that trend changed in 2025 as he was healthy for all 17 games but still fell to WR21. The poor quarterback play resulted in him catching 84 passes for 1,048 yards and just two touchdowns. Murray may not be the long-term answer in Minnesota, but he should at least be an upgrade over last year's quarterbacks while helping Jefferson get back into the top-10 receiver range for fantasy football. As it stands, Jefferson ranks as RotoBaller's WR6 in redraft leagues. He is consistently being drafted at the one/two turn in fantasy leagues, which makes him the sixth receiver off the board.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
20.7 1.0 0.0 7.2 90.0 0.7

Ja'Marr Chase News

Bengals Feel Good About Ja'Marr Chase Playing in Week 1

Wednesday, September 9, 10:13 AM

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said he likes the pace that wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (knee) is on and feels good about him playing in Week 1 on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Jay Morrison of BengalsTalk.com. Chase suffered a hyperextended left knee late in a training camp practice, but he has recovered nicely with some rest and is fully expected to suit up and be a full-go in the regular-season opener this weekend against Tampa. Fellow wideout Tee Higgins (heel), who has been dealing with a minor heel injury, should be a full-go as well, so quarterback Joe Burrow's fantasy managers should have nothing to worry about to open the 2026 campaign. Chase was the first receiver off the board in most fantasy football drafts this summer, and he should be locked into all starting lineups for this weekend's game against the Bucs. The Bengals could list Chase as limited in Wednesday's practice, but that should not set off alarm bells for fantasy managers. Until further notice, Chase is expected to play in Week 1.


Justin Jefferson vs. Ja'Marr Chase

Still trying to decide between Jefferson and Chase? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Justin Jefferson is projected to score 16.0 points this week while Ja'Marr Chase is projected to score 20.7 points.