NFL Week 3 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em TEs: Isaiah Likely vs. Dalton Schultz

There have been some disappointing performances from TEs in the early going, the most significant of which for fantasy football might be the struggles of Bears TE Colston Loveland.

Coming into the season with expectations of being one of the most productive players at his position, the Chicago standout has just 1 reception for 3 yards. Does anyone else have the outlook to actually deliver some results to your fantasy lineups this weekend?

As we look past Loveland and the top TEs, let’s break down our NFL Week 3 start ‘em, sit ‘em battle between Giants TE Isaiah Likely and Texans TE Dalton Schultz for your fantasy football picks this week, including PrizePicks projections.

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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em TEs, Week 3: Isaiah Likely or Dalton Schultz?

Who'd be the better pick out of this NFL Week 3 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em dilemma: Likely or Schultz?

Why Start Isaiah Likely?

Isaiah Likely Week 3 PrizePicks Projections: 40.5 Rec Yards, 3.5 Recs (Goblin), 16.5 Yards on Longest Rec

• The Giants will play the remainder of the regular season without QB Jaxson Dart, who will have knee surgery after taking a hard hit during the team’s 28-6 loss to the Rams in Week 2.
• New York’s new starting QB is Jameis Winston, who has shown promise when filling in for Dart before. In Week 12 against the Lions last year, Winston threw for 366 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT.
• Even with Dart leaving on the first drive against the Rams, Likely recorded 5 receptions for 33 yards. He was targeted 10 times, giving him a total of 18 targets through two games.
• The Giants immediately aired things out with Winston coming in last week, leaving him with an average depth of target of 9.8 yards, per PFF. The veteran averaged 8.6 yards per pass attempt in limited action last year.

Add Isaiah Likely + Giants to win to your PrizePicks lineup now.

Why Start Dalton Schultz?

Dalton Schultz Week 3 PrizePicks Projections: 49.5 Rec Yards, 5 Recs, 18.5 Yards on Longest Rec

• With Texans WR Nico Collins (hamstring) sidelined, Schultz dominated with 12 receptions for 140 yards in Sunday’s 20-6 loss to the Bengals. He led the team with 14 targets.
• According to RotoWire, Schultz has a 24.1% target share and has been thrown to on 30.1% of his routes through two games.
• Last year, the former fourth-round pick finished third among TEs in receptions and sixth in targets.
• If Collins is forced to sit again, the Texans would be thin on pass-catching options with WRs Tank Dell (knee) and Jayden Higgins (knee) on the injured reserve list.

Add Dalton Schultz + Texans to cover the spread to your PrizePicks lineup now.

Week 3 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Start Dalton Schultz

Likely has a favorable matchup against the Titans, who allowed 47 points over their first two games. Per RBSDM, they are 23rd in dropback EPA/play allowed. Their struggles in that department are nothing new, considering they finished 29th last year.

Winston wasn’t accurate coming on in relief of Dart last week, completing only 11 of his 27 pass attempts. It wasn’t ideal circumstances considering the opponent and lack of practice reps with the first team.

With a full week of first-team practice under his belt and a more favorable opponent, Winston could have a more productive performance.

Schultz also enters Week 3 with a favorable matchup. The Texans take on the Colts, who have allowed 74 points over two games. Last week, they were torched by Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, who caught 9 of 11 targets for 101 yards and 1 TD.

Through two weeks, opposing TEs have hauled in 15 of 20 targets against Indianapolis.

Considering it was originally thought that Collins could miss two games with his ailment, it wouldn't be a surprise if he sat out against the Colts. However, even when he played in Week 1, Schultz was heavily involved with 8 targets.

Likely has a nice matchup against the Titans, but Schultz facing the Colts might be even better. Schultz also has the advantage of his starting QB C.J. Stroud throwing him passes. That factor gives the edge to Schultz in this TE battle.

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Likely still figures to be among the top pass-catching options on the Giants, even with Dart out. While he doesn’t have a difficult matchup in Week 3, Schultz has an even better matchup to combine with his usual starting QB under center. That leaves him with the potential to produce a better stat line.

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