Puka Nacua
LAR vs. DENFloor12.1
Median16.8
Ceiling22.6
Recent PPG: 9.9
Recent volume: 10.0
Snap share: 70%
Availability: No current-week designation
Week 3 lineup decision · updated Sep 22, 2026, 8:07 PM EDT
Puka Nacua or Jaxon Smith-Njigba: who should I start?
Start Jaxon Smith-Njigba over Puka Nacua in Week 3. The Half PPR projection is 21.6 to 16.8.
The lean blends recorded scoring, recent workload, opponent positional defense and only same-week listed availability. Recheck the official inactive list before kickoff.
LAR vs. DENOpen player file →
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
SEA vs. WASFloor14.5
Median21.6
Ceiling24.4
Recent PPG: 30.1
Recent volume: 11.0
Snap share: 79%
Availability: No current-week designation
Scoring changes the call
4 points per passing TDWeek 3 projection by format.
Standard
Start Jaxon Smith-Njigba
5.0-point gapMedium confidence
Other option
Puka Nacua
LAR vs. DEN- Floor
- 8.7
- Projection
- 12.9
- Ceiling
- 18.2
Recommended start
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
SEA vs. WAS- Floor
- 11.2
- Projection
- 17.9
- Ceiling
- 20.5
Half PPR
Start Jaxon Smith-Njigba
4.8-point gapMedium confidence
Other option
Puka Nacua
LAR vs. DEN- Floor
- 12.1
- Projection
- 16.8
- Ceiling
- 22.6
Recommended start
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
SEA vs. WAS- Floor
- 14.5
- Projection
- 21.6
- Ceiling
- 24.4
PPR
Start Jaxon Smith-Njigba
4.7-point gapMedium confidence
Other option
Puka Nacua
LAR vs. DEN- Floor
- 14.9
- Projection
- 20.6
- Ceiling
- 26.8
Recommended start
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
SEA vs. WAS- Floor
- 18.4
- Projection
- 25.3
- Ceiling
- 28.4
Floor and ceiling show the lower and upper ends of the player's recent scoring range. The projection is the middle estimate after current role, matchup, and same-week availability are applied.
Why the model leans this way
Role first. Matchup second. Availability always visible.
Two elite receivers with materially different current availability and recorded workloads.
Puka Nacua: recent role is near baseline, and the matchup is tougher. Jaxon Smith-Njigba: recent role is near baseline, and the matchup helps.
Availability adjustments apply only when the source contains a Week 3 report. Older designations remain visible in the injury archive but do not reduce this projection.