Who should I pick up: Gardner Minshew II or Geno Smith?

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

Reception scoring does not change these projections. One comparison covers PPR, Half-PPR and Standard.

THE PICKUP CALL

For this week: Geno Smith

If both are available and you need Week 9 points, pick up Geno Smith over Gardner Minshew II: 13.0 versus 9.6 projected FP. A longer-term hold can be a different decision; compare the outlook below before choosing who to drop.

Forecast updated Nov 3, 2:34 AM ET · Common scoring preset

THE ALTERNATIVE

Gardner Minshew II

QB · ARI · vs SEA

Stats & schedule ›

9.6FF projected FP

Nov 8, 4:25 PM ET

Planning a bid? Gardner Minshew II FAAB guide ↗

0.0%rostered on ESPN0.00 pp recent change

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

Geno Smith

QB · NYJ · vs KC

Stats & schedule ›

13.0FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

32.8%rostered on ESPN0.00 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Geno Smith is the stronger immediate points option. Gardner Minshew II is more widely available across ESPN leagues, but league-wide ownership cannot tell us who is available in yours. For a QB 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.

Gardner Minshew II

Gardner Minshew II projects for 9.6 Standard points against SEA this week. His recent scoring average is 9.8 FP. The defensive matchup reduces the FF estimate by 8.75%. He is rostered in 0.0% of ESPN leagues, with a reported gain of 0.00 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 9.6 FP
ESPN: 10.7 FP
Sleeper: 9.5 FP
FantasyPros: 10.9 FP

Geno Smith

Geno Smith projects for 13.0 Standard points against KC this week. His recent scoring average is 17.8 FP. The defensive matchup reduces the FF estimate by 3.75%. He is rostered in 32.8% of ESPN leagues, with a reported gain of 0.00 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 13.0 FP
ESPN: 14.0 FP
Sleeper: 12.8 FP
FantasyPros: 13.9 FP
Boosted Trees: 11.4 FP

Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET

Roster data as of Nov 2, 10:30 PM ET / Nov 3, 12:30 AM 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	Gardner Minshew II	Geno Smith
Next 3 weeks	32.5 FP3/3 scheduled games projected	43.3 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected
Remaining regular-season schedule	119.3 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · 1 bye	136.7 FPHigher projection9/9 scheduled games projected · 1 bye
Weeks 15–18	57.0 FP4/4 scheduled games projected	61.4 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Gardner Minshew II	Geno Smith
Week 9	9.6 FPvs SEA	13.0 FPvs KCHigher projection
Week 10	11.7 FPvs LAR	16.1 FPvs BUFHigher projection
Week 11	11.2 FPvs KC	14.2 FPvs LACHigher projection
Week 12	16.3 FPvs WAS	18.1 FPvs MIAHigher projection
Week 13	13.6 FPvs PHIHigher projection	BYE
Week 14	BYE	13.9 FPvs DENHigher projection
Week 15	14.2 FPvs NYJ	19.0 FPvs ARIHigher projection
Week 16	14.2 FPvs NO	14.7 FPvs NEHigher projection
Week 17	16.1 FPvs LVHigher projection	11.9 FPvs MIN
Week 18	12.4 FPvs SF	15.7 FPvs BUFHigher projection

Outlook updated Nov 3, 2:43 AM ET. Health and roles can change.

PICKUP RANKINGS · QB

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.

18.2 FP23.4 FP

Joe BurrowQB · 98.8% rostered
23.4
Brock PurdyQB · 98.0% rostered
22.8
Jared GoffQB · 90.0% rostered
20.6
Dak PrescottQB · 92.5% rostered
19.8
Patrick Mahomes IIQB · 89.5% rostered
19.3

What about Geno Smith versus these pickups?

QB · Week 9

Caleb Williams16.5projected FP

Geno Smith13.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 9

Geno Smith13.0projected FP

Jared Goff20.6projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 9

Geno Smith13.0projected FP

Kyler Murray16.1projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 9

Michael Penix Jr.14.6projected FP

Geno Smith13.0projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗

More QB 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.

QB · Week 9

Caleb Williams16.5projected FP