Who should I pick up: AJ Barner or Mason Taylor?

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

THE PICKUP CALL

For this week: Mason Taylor

If both are available and you need Week 9 points, pick up Mason Taylor over AJ Barner: 9.4 versus 7.8 projected FP in PPR. A longer-term hold can be a different decision; compare the outlook below before choosing who to drop.

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

THE WEEK 9 FILE · REST OF SEASONBraelon and the Jets.Hall’s return. Cooper’s target swing. The roles and routes behind your next Jets decision.Read the analysis ↗

THE ALTERNATIVE

AJ Barner

TE · SEA · vs ARI

Stats & schedule ›

7.8FF projected FP

Nov 8, 4:25 PM ET

Planning a bid? AJ Barner FAAB guide ↗

7.4%rostered on ESPN-0.31 pp recent change

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

Mason Taylor

TE · NYJ · vs KC

Stats & schedule ›

9.4FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

9.7%rostered on ESPN-2.14 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Mason Taylor is the stronger immediate points option. AJ Barner 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.

AJ Barner

AJ Barner projects for 7.8 PPR points against ARI this week. His recent scoring average is 5.8 FP. He is rostered in 7.4% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.31 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 7.8 FP
ESPN: 8.4 FP
Sleeper: 7.8 FP
FantasyPros: 7.8 FP

Mason Taylor

Mason Taylor projects for 9.4 PPR points against KC this week. His recent scoring average is 12.5 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 5%. He is rostered in 9.7% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 2.14 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 9.4 FP
ESPN: 8.4 FP
Sleeper: 7.6 FP
FantasyPros: 7.8 FP

Roster data as of Nov 4, 2:30 PM ET / Nov 4, 2:30 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	AJ Barner	Mason Taylor
Next 3 weeks	16.8 FP2/2 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed	27.5 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected
Remaining regular-season schedule	70.8 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed	82.1 FPHigher projection9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 13 · cover needed
Weeks 15–18	29.8 FP4/4 scheduled games projected	35.4 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	AJ Barner	Mason Taylor
Week 9	7.8 FPvs ARI	9.4 FPvs KCHigher projection
Week 10	8.9 FPvs LV	9.3 FPvs BUFHigher projection
Week 11	BYE	8.8 FPvs LACHigher projection
Week 12	7.7 FPvs SF	10.3 FPvs MIAHigher projection
Week 13	8.5 FPvs DALHigher projection	BYE
Week 14	8.0 FPvs NYG	8.9 FPvs DENHigher projection
Week 15	7.2 FPvs PHI	9.4 FPvs ARIHigher projection
Week 16	7.4 FPvs LAR	9.2 FPvs NEHigher projection
Week 17	7.8 FPvs CARHigher projection	7.6 FPvs MIN
Week 18	7.4 FPvs LAR	9.2 FPvs BUFHigher projection

Outlook updated Nov 4, 2:36 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.

10.6 FP18.8 FP

Brock BowersTE · 99.9% rostered
18.6
George KittleTE · 98.2% rostered
17.0
Trey McBrideTE · 99.9% rostered
15.4
Travis KelceTE · 92.2% rostered
12.5
Harold Fannin Jr.TE · 88.2% rostered
12.4

See full TE rankings ↗

What about Mason Taylor versus these pickups?

TE · Week 9

Mason Taylor9.4projected FP

Mike Gesicki9.5projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Mark Andrews6.3projected FP

Mason Taylor9.4projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Mason Taylor9.4projected FP

Pat FreiermuthBYEthis week

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Mason Taylor9.4projected FP

Michael Mayer8.7projected 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