Who should I pick up: J.J. McCarthy or Michael Penix Jr.?

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: J.J. McCarthy

If both are available and you need Week 9 points, pick up J.J. McCarthy over Michael Penix Jr.: 15.2 versus 14.6 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

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

J.J. McCarthy

QB · NYG · vs PHI

Stats & schedule ›

15.2FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

Planning a bid? J.J. McCarthy FAAB guide ↗

15.4%rostered on ESPN-0.03 pp recent change

THE ALTERNATIVE

Michael Penix Jr.

QB · ATL · vs CIN

Stats & schedule ›

14.6FF projected FP

Nov 8, 9:30 AM ET

18.6%rostered on ESPN-0.02 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

J.J. McCarthy is the stronger immediate points option. J.J. McCarthy 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.

J.J. McCarthy

J.J. McCarthy projects for 15.2 Standard points against PHI this week. His recent scoring average is 13.3 FP. He is rostered in 15.4% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.03 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 15.2 FP
ESPN: 17.5 FP
Sleeper: 15.5 FP
FantasyPros: 15.7 FP
Boosted Trees: 17.5 FP

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

Michael Penix Jr.

Michael Penix Jr. projects for 14.6 Standard points against CIN this week. His recent scoring average is 13.9 FP. He is rostered in 18.6% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.02 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 14.6 FP
ESPN: 15.8 FP
Sleeper: 14.8 FP
FantasyPros: 15.7 FP
Boosted Trees: 14.7 FP

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

Roster data as of Nov 3, 1:30 AM 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	J.J. McCarthy	Michael Penix Jr.
Next 3 weeks	47.5 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected	27.6 FP2/2 scheduled games projected · 1 bye
Remaining regular-season schedule	156.5 FPHigher projection10/10 scheduled games projected	131.5 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · 1 bye
Weeks 15–18	67.5 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected	61.0 FP4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	J.J. McCarthy	Michael Penix Jr.
Week 9	15.2 FPvs PHIHigher projection	14.6 FPvs CIN
Week 10	18.5 FPvs WASHigher projection	13.0 FPvs KC
Week 11	13.9 FPvs JACHigher projection	BYE
Week 12	16.3 FPvs INDHigher projection	10.5 FPvs MIN
Week 13	14.1 FPvs SF	19.0 FPvs DETHigher projection
Week 14	11.1 FPvs SEA	13.3 FPvs CLEHigher projection
Week 15	14.2 FPvs CLE	17.5 FPvs WASHigher projection
Week 16	19.3 FPvs DETHigher projection	12.7 FPvs TB
Week 17	18.6 FPvs DALHigher projection	16.1 FPvs NO
Week 18	15.4 FPvs PHIHigher projection	14.7 FPvs CAR

Outlook updated Nov 3, 2:44 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 J.J. McCarthy versus these pickups?

QB · Week 9

Bo Nix15.9projected FP

J.J. McCarthy15.2projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 9

J.J. McCarthy15.2projected FP

Deshaun Watson15.1projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 9

J.J. McCarthy15.2projected FP

Bryce Young14.8projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 9

J.J. McCarthy15.2projected FP

Daniel Jones14.6projected 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