Who should I pick up: Darren Waller or Eli Raridon?

The claim now. The weeks ahead. Make room for the right player.

THE PICKUP CALL

For this week: Darren Waller

The displayed FF scores are tied. Darren Waller gets the tiebreaker: FF is +0.4 FP versus ESPN, compared with -1.2 for Eli Raridon. The higher FF-minus-ESPN margin is preferred; this is not a measured probability of beating ESPN. A longer-term pickup decision can differ; compare roster fit and the outlook before dropping anyone.

Forecast updated Nov 4, 2:33 PM ET · Half-PPR

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

Darren Waller

TE · CAR · vs DEN

Stats & schedule ›

5.1FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

8.7%rostered on ESPN-0.69 pp recent change

THE ALTERNATIVE

Eli Raridon

TE · NE · vs GB

Stats & schedule ›

5.1FF projected FP

Nov 8, 4:25 PM ET

Planning a bid? Eli Raridon FAAB guide ↗

2.0%rostered on ESPN+0.15 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Darren Waller is the stronger immediate points option. Eli Raridon is more widely available across ESPN leagues, but league-wide ownership cannot tell us who is available in yours. For a TE vacancy, compare the immediate matchup with the weeks you actually need covered. A rising roster percentage can explain interest in a player; it does not increase his projected score. If you must drop someone, check the full roster in GamePlan before making the claim.

Darren Waller

Darren Waller projects for 5.1 Half-PPR points against DEN this week. His recent scoring average is 4.4 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 2.5%. He is rostered in 8.7% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.69 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 5.1 FP
ESPN: 4.8 FP
Sleeper: 5.8 FP
FantasyPros: 4.7 FP
Boosted Trees: 5.2 FP

Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:04 AM ET

Eli Raridon

Eli Raridon projects for 5.1 Half-PPR points against GB this week. His recent scoring average is 5.2 FP. The defensive matchup reduces the FF estimate by 8.75%. He is rostered in 2.0% of ESPN leagues, with a reported gain of 0.15 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 5.1 FP
ESPN: 6.3 FP
Sleeper: 5.8 FP
FantasyPros: 4.8 FP
Boosted Trees: 4.4 FP

Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:04 AM ET

Roster data as of Nov 4, 2:30 PM ET / Nov 4, 1:30 PM ET. Recent change uses ESPN’s reported field; its lookback window is not specified. Saved model estimates are supporting evidence, not independent votes.

THE HOLD, NOT JUST THE CLAIM

What comes after this week?

Future FF estimates are separate from the current-week pickup call. Totals describe the player, not extra points for your roster. Weeks 15–18 are a calendar view; your league’s playoff weeks may differ. Green highlights the higher displayed projection when both outlooks are known; ties and incomplete comparisons stay neutral.

Window	Darren Waller	Eli Raridon
Next 3 weeks	16.6 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected	11.4 FP2/2 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed
Remaining regular-season schedule	53.5 FPHigher projection10/10 scheduled games projected	48.9 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed
Weeks 15–18	21.3 FP4/4 scheduled games projected	22.4 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Darren Waller	Eli Raridon
Week 9	5.1 FPvs DEN	5.1 FPvs GB
Week 10	5.9 FPvs NO	6.4 FPvs DETHigher projection
Week 11	5.5 FPvs BALHigher projection	BYE
Week 12	5.3 FPvs TBHigher projection	5.2 FPvs LAC
Week 13	4.4 FPvs MIN	5.6 FPvs BUFHigher projection
Week 14	5.9 FPvs NOHigher projection	4.3 FPvs MIN
Week 15	5.6 FPvs CINHigher projection	5.4 FPvs KC
Week 16	5.4 FPvs PIT	5.5 FPvs NYJHigher projection
Week 17	4.8 FPvs SEA	5.2 FPvs DENHigher projection
Week 18	5.5 FPvs ATL	6.3 FPvs MIAHigher projection

Outlook updated Nov 4, 2:38 PM ET. Health and roles can change.

PICKUP RANKINGS · Rankings position · WEEK 9

More options. The same scale.

FF expected-points order within this pickup pool, with higher FF-minus-ESPN margin breaking displayed ties. Available model ranges provide context.

9.4 FP15.3 FP

Brock BowersTE · 99.9% rostered
15.2
George KittleTE · 98.2% rostered
14.1
Trey McBrideTE · 99.9% rostered
12.0
Sam LaPortaTE · 96.4% rostered
10.3
Isaiah LikelyTE · 95.1% rostered
10.1

See full TE rankings ↗

What about Darren Waller versus these pickups?

TE · Week 9

Darren Waller5.1projected FP

Michael Mayer6.5projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Tyler Higbee5.2projected FP

Darren Waller5.1projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Darren Waller5.1projected FP

Mark Andrews5.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Darren Waller5.1projected FP

Cade Otton4.6projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗

More TE pickup decisions

Recorded comparison interest informs the order where available, followed by nearby projected options. These are not claims that both players are free agents in your league.

TE · Week 9