Who should I pick up: Gardner Minshew II or Justin Herbert?

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: Justin Herbert

If both are available and you need Week 9 points, pick up Justin Herbert over Gardner Minshew II: 12.3 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

Justin Herbert

QB · LAC · vs HOU

Stats & schedule ›

12.3FF projected FP

Nov 8, 4:05 PM ET

34.4%rostered on ESPN0.00 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Justin Herbert 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

Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert projects for 12.3 Standard points against HOU this week. His recent scoring average is 8.3 FP. He is rostered in 34.4% 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: 12.3 FP
ESPN: 12.5 FP
Sleeper: 13.3 FP
FantasyPros: 14.4 FP
Boosted Trees: 12.5 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	Justin Herbert
Next 3 weeks	32.5 FP3/3 scheduled games projected	37.5 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected
Remaining regular-season schedule	119.3 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · 1 bye	123.1 FPHigher projection10/10 scheduled games projected
Weeks 15–18	57.0 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected	48.3 FP4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Gardner Minshew II	Justin Herbert
Week 9	9.6 FPvs SEA	12.3 FPvs HOUHigher projection
Week 10	11.7 FPvs LAR	12.2 FPvs BALHigher projection
Week 11	11.2 FPvs KC	13.1 FPvs NYJHigher projection
Week 12	16.3 FPvs WASHigher projection	12.3 FPvs NE
Week 13	13.6 FPvs PHIHigher projection	10.5 FPvs TB
Week 14	BYE	14.5 FPvs LVHigher projection
Week 15	14.2 FPvs NYJHigher projection	11.6 FPvs SF
Week 16	14.2 FPvs NO	14.7 FPvs MIAHigher projection
Week 17	16.1 FPvs LVHigher projection	11.0 FPvs KC
Week 18	12.4 FPvs SFHigher projection	11.0 FPvs DEN

Outlook updated Nov 3, 2:41 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 Justin Herbert versus these pickups?

QB · Week 9

Geno Smith13.0projected FP

Justin Herbert12.3projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 9

Justin Herbert12.3projected FP

Tanner McKee12.1projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 9

Justin Herbert12.3projected FP

Baker Mayfield12.1projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 9

Justin Herbert12.3projected FP

Michael Penix Jr.14.6projected 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