Should I start Darren Waller or Davis Allen in Week 9 (2026, Standard)?

THE FF CALL

Start Darren Waller

+1.5 projected edge · Standard

Start Darren Waller over Davis Allen for Week 9 Standard: 4.0 projected points versus 2.4.

Darren Waller: 4.0 FP recent scoring average.
Darren Waller: 1.25% matchup lift against DEN.

Forecast updated Nov 6, 2026, 4:53 PM ET · Standard

FF PICK

Darren Waller

TE · CARStats & schedule

4.0FF projected

↑ +0.3 vs ESPN

vs DEN

Sun 1:00 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Davis Allen

TE · LARStats & schedule

2.4FF projected

↑ +1.2 vs ESPN

at WAS

Sun 1:00 PM ET

Why this pick?

Darren Waller

FF projection: 4.0 FP +0.3vs ESPN
ESPN: 3.7 FP
Sleeper: 4.6 FP
FantasyPros: 3.7 FP
Boosted Trees: 4.1 FP; Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET

Darren Waller faces DEN in Week 9. Recent scoring average: 4.0 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast up 1.25%.

Davis Allen

FF projection: 2.4 FP +1.1vs ESPN
ESPN: 1.3 FP
Sleeper: 0.7 FP
FantasyPros: 2.2 FP
Boosted Trees: 1.7 FP; Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET

Davis Allen faces WAS in Week 9. Recent scoring average: 4.9 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast up 8.75%.

Darren Waller projects for 4.0 points in standard scoring, 1.5 more than Davis Allen. This is a projection-based recommendation, not a guarantee. Verify the latest injury report and active status before kickoff.

Updated Nov 6, 2026, 4:53 PM ET. Projections can change before kickoff.

Your next decision

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Scoring & lineup notes

PPR awards one point per reception; half-PPR awards 0.5; standard awards none. Custom league rules can change the result. Confirm active status, kickoff and lineup locks. Projections are estimates; completed-week scores are actuals.

FORTIFIED RANKINGS · Rankings position

TE. The bigger picture.

Ranked by FF expected points. Displayed ties favor the higher FF-minus-ESPN margin. Medians and ranges add context.

FF expected pointsMedian · when availableWindow: experimental middle 80%● ESPN● Sleeper● FantasyPros

3 shown · common FP scale

7.311.7

FF MEAN

1
George KittleTE · SF vs LVSun 4:25 PM ETRange unavailable
Mean 11.6Range unavailable
Median unavailable
ESPN 10.8Sleeper 10.2FantasyPros 10.8
11.6Expected FP
2
Brock BowersTE · LV vs SFSun 4:25 PM ETRange unavailable
Mean 11.6Range unavailable
Median unavailable
ESPN 11.1Sleeper 11.7FantasyPros 10.8
11.6Expected FP
3
Trey McBrideTE · ARI vs SEASun 4:25 PM ETRange unavailable
Mean 8.6Range unavailable
Median unavailable
ESPN 7.3Sleeper 8.3FantasyPros 8.2
8.6Expected FP

How the forecast and ranges work

FF uses position-specific provider weights, rescored CBS and FFToday stats, and the existing bounded form, defense and metric adjustments. Saved Boosted Trees and Workload have bounded model influence when available. Monte Carlo supplies the distribution; it does not get a duplicate mean vote.

Every player is ranked by the FF expected score (mean), whether or not a simulation distribution is available. Equal displayed scores use the higher FF-minus-ESPN margin when both ESPN forecasts are known, then unrounded FF, a comparable FantasyPros/Sleeper estimate, and stable identity order if still level. This tiebreaker is not a measured probability of beating ESPN. The median marker is additional information and never changes the order. Missing or availability-conditional ranges do not switch the ranking statistic. The window shows the experimental middle 80% (P10–P90), rather than the difference between two model means. Its observed coverage under this new version is still collecting. Availability-conditional distributions are labeled and are not shifted to a different center.

Missing sources and incompatible scoring are excluded. Bye and confirmed unavailable players remain excluded. ESPN, Sleeper and FantasyPros are the benchmark markers. The common scale covers the displayed outcome windows and available benchmarks.