Who should I pick up: Darren Waller or Jake Ferguson?

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

THE PICKUP CALL

For this week: Darren Waller

If both are available and you need Week 9 points, pick up Darren Waller over Jake Ferguson: 5.0 versus 4.5 projected FP in Half-PPR. Jake Ferguson also has an availability concern. A longer-term hold can be a different decision; compare the outlook below before choosing who to drop.

Forecast updated Nov 7, 12:39 PM ET · Half-PPR

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

Darren Waller

TE · CAR · vs DEN

Stats & schedule ›

5.0FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

7.9%rostered on ESPN-0.11 pp recent change

THE ALTERNATIVE

Jake Ferguson

TE · DAL · vs IND

Stats & schedule ›

4.5FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

Check availability before adding

41.9%rostered on ESPN-0.34 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Darren Waller is the stronger immediate points option. Darren Waller 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 5.0 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 7.9% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.11 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

FF projection: 5.0 FP +0.2vs ESPN
ESPN: 4.8 FP
Sleeper: 5.4 FP
FantasyPros: 4.7 FP
Boosted Trees: 5.2 FP; Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:04 AM ET

Jake Ferguson

Jake Ferguson projects for 4.5 Half-PPR points against IND this week. His recent scoring average is 0.8 FP. He is rostered in 41.9% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.34 percentage points. His injury designation makes this a conditional pickup; verify his status before committing. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

FF projection: 4.5 FP
Sleeper: 6.7 FP
FantasyPros: 4.3 FP
Boosted Trees: 5.2 FP; Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:04 AM ET

Roster data as of Nov 7, 12:30 PM ET / Nov 7, 12:30 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	Jake Ferguson
Next 3 weeks	16.7 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected	13.3 FP3/3 scheduled games projected
Remaining regular-season schedule	54.6 FPHigher projection10/10 scheduled games projected	38.6 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 14 · cover needed
Weeks 15–18	21.8 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected	17.7 FP4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Darren Waller	Jake Ferguson
Week 9	5.0 FPvs DENHigher projection	4.5 FPvs IND
Week 10	6.0 FPvs NOHigher projection	4.2 FPvs SF
Week 11	5.7 FPvs BALHigher projection	4.6 FPvs TEN
Week 12	5.4 FPvs TBHigher projection	3.9 FPvs PHI
Week 13	4.5 FPvs MINHigher projection	3.7 FPvs SEA
Week 14	6.1 FPvs NOHigher projection	BYE
Week 15	5.8 FPvs CINHigher projection	4.0 FPvs LAR
Week 16	5.5 FPvs PITHigher projection	4.3 FPvs JAC
Week 17	4.9 FPvs SEAHigher projection	4.3 FPvs NYG
Week 18	5.6 FPvs ATLHigher projection	5.0 FPvs WAS

Outlook updated Nov 7, 12:44 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 FP15.2 FP

Brock BowersTE · 99.9% rostered
15.2
George KittleTE · 98.5% rostered
14.6
Trey McBrideTE · 99.9% rostered
12.0
Sam LaPortaTE · 96.6% rostered
10.2
Isaiah LikelyTE · 95.5% rostered
10.0

See full TE rankings ↗

What about Darren Waller versus these pickups?

TE · Week 9

Darren Waller5.0projected FP

Eli Raridon5.6projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Darren Waller5.0projected FP

Michael Mayer6.5projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Tyler Higbee5.6projected FP

Darren Waller5.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Darren Waller5.0projected 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