Who should I pick up: Darren Waller or Michael Mayer?

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

THE PICKUP CALL

For this week: Michael Mayer

If both are available and you need Week 9 points, pick up Michael Mayer over Darren Waller: 6.4 versus 5.1 projected FP in Half-PPR. A longer-term hold can be a different decision; compare the outlook below before choosing who to drop.

Forecast updated Nov 3, 12:38 PM ET · Half-PPR

THE ALTERNATIVE

Darren Waller

TE · CAR · vs DEN

Stats & schedule ›

5.1FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

9.4%rostered on ESPN-0.09 pp recent change

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

Michael Mayer

TE · LV · vs SF

Stats & schedule ›

6.4FF projected FP

Nov 8, 4:25 PM ET

22.8%rostered on ESPN-0.11 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Michael Mayer 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 5.1 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 9.4% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.09 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: 5.7 FP
FantasyPros: 4.6 FP
Boosted Trees: 5.2 FP

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

Michael Mayer

Michael Mayer projects for 6.4 Half-PPR points against SF this week. His recent scoring average is 8.5 FP. The defensive matchup reduces the FF estimate by 1.25%. He is rostered in 22.8% 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.

Fortified Fantasy: 6.4 FP
ESPN: 6.3 FP
Sleeper: 5.7 FP
FantasyPros: 5.7 FP
Boosted Trees: 5.7 FP

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

Roster data as of Nov 3, 12:30 PM ET / Nov 3, 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	Michael Mayer
Next 3 weeks	16.5 FP3/3 scheduled games projected	18.8 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected
Remaining regular-season schedule	53.3 FP10/10 scheduled games projected	58.5 FPHigher projection9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 13 · cover needed
Weeks 15–18	21.2 FP4/4 scheduled games projected	27.1 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Darren Waller	Michael Mayer
Week 9	5.1 FPvs DEN	6.4 FPvs SFHigher projection
Week 10	5.9 FPvs NO	6.0 FPvs SEAHigher projection
Week 11	5.5 FPvs BAL	6.4 FPvs DENHigher projection
Week 12	5.3 FPvs TB	6.4 FPvs CLEHigher projection
Week 13	4.4 FPvs MINHigher projection	BYE
Week 14	5.9 FPvs NO	6.3 FPvs LACHigher projection
Week 15	5.6 FPvs CIN	6.5 FPvs DENHigher projection
Week 16	5.4 FPvs PIT	6.9 FPvs TENHigher projection
Week 17	4.7 FPvs SEA	7.0 FPvs ARIHigher projection
Week 18	5.5 FPvs ATL	6.7 FPvs KCHigher projection

Outlook updated Nov 3, 12:40 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.

9.5 FP14.7 FP

Brock BowersTE · 99.8% rostered
14.5
George KittleTE · 97.8% rostered
14.0
Trey McBrideTE · 99.8% rostered
11.8
Isaiah LikelyTE · 94.6% rostered
10.3
Sam LaPortaTE · 96.3% rostered
9.9

See full TE rankings ↗

What about Michael Mayer versus these pickups?

TE · Week 9

Eli Raridon5.0projected FP

Michael Mayer6.4projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Michael Mayer6.4projected FP

Mike Gesicki7.9projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Dalton Kincaid7.4projected FP

Michael Mayer6.4projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Dalton Schultz6.4projected FP

Michael Mayer6.4projected 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