Start DK Metcalf or Devaughn Vele? Week 3

Our Week 3 call

Start DK Metcalf over Devaughn Vele in Week 3.

De-vigged player props project DK Metcalf at 11.8 points and Devaughn Vele at 11.5, a gap of 0.3. That is inside the noise of a single catch, so treat it as close to a coin flip. Devaughn Vele's number is scaled up from a partial market: the books have not posted every stat the position needs, so the rest is estimated from what they have.

What the books imply

Player prop markets imply 11.8 fantasy points for DK Metcalf, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The books have DK Metcalf at 52.5 receiving yards and 4.5 receptions, with a 30% chance to score a touchdown (15, 12 and 15 books).

Player prop markets imply 11.5 fantasy points for Devaughn Vele, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The books have Devaughn Vele at 48.5 receiving yards and 4.5 receptions, with a 25% chance to score a touchdown (16, 11 and 15 books).

That puts DK Metcalf 0.3 points ahead of Devaughn Vele on the books.

Injury status

DK Metcalf is not on the injury report.

Devaughn Vele is not on the injury report.

Usage before Week 3

Through Week 2, DK Metcalf played 96 percent of PIT snaps, drew 26 percent of the targets, earned 43 percent of the air yards and had 0 percent of the red zone chances.

DK Metcalf, Week 1 against ATL: 64 of 67 snaps, 10 targets and 4 catches for 40 yards.

DK Metcalf, Week 2 against NE: 68 of 70 snaps, 9 targets and 4 catches for 27 yards.

Through Week 2, Devaughn Vele played 93 percent of NO snaps, drew 19 percent of the targets, earned 19 percent of the air yards and had 10 percent of the red zone chances.

Devaughn Vele, Week 1 against DET: 82 of 90 snaps, 9 targets and 7 catches for 69 yards, 1 touchdown.

Devaughn Vele, Week 2 against BAL: 65 of 68 snaps, 7 targets and 5 catches for 64 yards.

Their 2025 seasons

In 2025, DK Metcalf played 15 games for PIT and scored 187.2 PPR points, 12.5 a game, finishing WR26.

He caught 59 of 99 targets for 850 yards and 6 touchdowns, with 13 red zone targets and 436 air yards.

He was on the field for 87 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

DK Metcalf, Week 16 of 2025 against DET: 65 of 74 snaps, 9 targets and 4 catches for 42 yards, 8.2 PPR points.

In 2025, Devaughn Vele played 13 games for NO and scored 66.3 PPR points, 5.1 a game, finishing WR95.

He caught 25 of 39 targets for 293 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 4 red zone targets and 259 air yards.

He was on the field for 51 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

Devaughn Vele, Week 15 of 2025 against CAR: 38 of 69 snaps, 6 targets and 5 catches for 69 yards, 11.9 PPR points.

Their other Week 3 calls

• Start Dalton Kincaid over DK Metcalf.
• Start DK Metcalf over DJ Moore.
• Start Emeka Egbuka over DK Metcalf.
• Start Devaughn Vele over Adonai Mitchell.
• Start Devaughn Vele over Denzel Boston.
• Start Devaughn Vele over DJ Moore.