Who should I pick up: Darren Waller or Tyler Higbee?

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

THE PICKUP CALL

For this week: Tyler Higbee

If both are available and you need Week 9 points, pick up Tyler Higbee over Darren Waller: 5.2 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 4, 3:29 PM ET · Half-PPR

THE ALTERNATIVE

Darren Waller

TE · CAR · vs DEN

Stats & schedule ›

5.1FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

8.7%rostered on ESPN-0.71 pp recent change

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

Tyler Higbee

TE · LAR · vs WAS

Stats & schedule ›

5.2FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

11.9%rostered on ESPN-1.82 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Tyler Higbee 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 8.7% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.71 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: 5.9 FP
FantasyPros: 4.7 FP
Boosted Trees: 5.2 FP

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

Tyler Higbee

Tyler Higbee projects for 5.2 Half-PPR points against WAS this week. His recent scoring average is 2.2 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 8.75%. He is rostered in 11.9% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 1.82 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 5.2 FP
ESPN: 4.7 FP
Sleeper: 5.6 FP
FantasyPros: 5.4 FP
Boosted Trees: 6.0 FP

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

Roster data as of Nov 4, 3:30 PM ET / Nov 4, 3:30 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	Tyler Higbee
Next 3 weeks	16.6 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected	10.6 FP2/2 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed
Remaining regular-season schedule	53.5 FPHigher projection10/10 scheduled games projected	43.4 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed
Weeks 15–18	21.3 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected	18.7 FP4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Darren Waller	Tyler Higbee
Week 9	5.1 FPvs DEN	5.2 FPvs WASHigher projection
Week 10	5.9 FPvs NOHigher projection	5.4 FPvs ARI
Week 11	5.5 FPvs BALHigher projection	BYE
Week 12	5.3 FPvs TBHigher projection	4.5 FPvs GB
Week 13	4.4 FPvs MIN	5.0 FPvs KCHigher projection
Week 14	5.9 FPvs NOHigher projection	4.7 FPvs SF
Week 15	5.6 FPvs CINHigher projection	5.4 FPvs DAL
Week 16	5.4 FPvs PITHigher projection	4.3 FPvs SEA
Week 17	4.8 FPvs SEA	4.8 FPvs TB
Week 18	5.5 FPvs ATLHigher projection	4.3 FPvs SEA

Outlook updated Nov 4, 3:36 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 Tyler Higbee versus these pickups?

TE · Week 9

Chig Okonkwo6.5projected FP

Tyler Higbee5.2projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Colby Parkinson6.8projected FP

Tyler Higbee5.2projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Eli Raridon5.1projected FP

Tyler Higbee5.2projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Trey McBride12.0projected FP

Tyler Higbee5.2projected 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