Who should I pick up: Lamar Jackson or Tanner McKee?

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: Lamar Jackson

If both are available and you need Week 8 points, pick up Lamar Jackson over Tanner McKee: 21.9 versus 12.9 projected FP. A longer-term hold can be a different decision; compare the outlook below before choosing who to drop.

Forecast updated Oct 31, 4:09 PM ET · Common scoring preset

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

Lamar Jackson

QB · BAL · vs BUF

Stats & schedule ›

21.9FF projected FP

Nov 1, 1:00 PM ET

98.8%rostered on ESPN+0.08 pp recent change

THE ALTERNATIVE

Tanner McKee

QB · PHI · vs WAS

Stats & schedule ›

12.9FF projected FP

Nov 1, 8:20 PM ET

4.4%rostered on ESPN-0.07 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Lamar Jackson is the stronger immediate points option. Tanner McKee 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.

Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson projects for 21.9 Standard points against BUF this week. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 6.25%. He is rostered in 98.8% of ESPN leagues, with a reported gain of 0.08 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 21.9 FP
ESPN: 22.1 FP
Sleeper: 20.0 FP
FantasyPros: 20.8 FP
FF median: 19.2 FP
Boosted Trees: 22.5 FP
Workload: 20.7 FP
Monte Carlo: 20.5 FP

FF median: Experimental · middle 50%: 14.2–27.9 FP · middle 80%: 8.7–33.0 FP · availability-conditional MC; separate from the FF mean. Prospective coverage is collecting.
Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET
Workload: Experimental · includes FantasyPros stat inputs · saved Oct 28, 9:08 PM ET
Monte Carlo: Experimental · conditional on availability · central 80%: 8.7–33.0 FP · saved Oct 28, 9:16 PM ET

Tanner McKee

Tanner McKee projects for 12.9 Standard points against WAS this week. His recent scoring average is 11.6 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 7.5%. He is rostered in 4.4% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.07 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 12.9 FP
ESPN: 12.4 FP
Sleeper: 12.8 FP
FantasyPros: 12.9 FP
FF median: 12.1 FP
Boosted Trees: 13.3 FP
Workload: 12.2 FP
Monte Carlo: 14.1 FP

FF median: Experimental · middle 50%: 8.8–17.3 FP · middle 80%: 5.4–21.1 FP. Prospective coverage is collecting.
Boosted Trees: Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET
Workload: Experimental · includes FantasyPros stat inputs · saved Oct 28, 9:08 PM ET
Monte Carlo: Experimental · central 80%: 5.9–23.1 FP · saved Oct 28, 9:16 PM ET

Roster data as of Oct 31, 3:30 PM ET / Oct 31, 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	Lamar Jackson	Tanner McKee
Next 3 weeks	63.4 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected	24.8 FP2/2 scheduled games projected · 1 bye
Remaining regular-season schedule	207.1 FPHigher projection10/10 scheduled games projected · 1 bye	122.8 FP10/10 scheduled games projected · 1 bye
Weeks 15–18	80.8 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected	45.1 FP4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Lamar Jackson	Tanner McKee
Week 8	21.9 FPvs BUFHigher projection	12.9 FPvs WAS
Week 9	20.7 FPvs JACHigher projection	11.9 FPvs NYG
Week 10	20.8 FPvs LACHigher projection	BYE
Week 11	21.1 FPvs CARHigher projection	10.9 FPvs PIT
Week 12	21.5 FPvs HOUHigher projection	14.0 FPvs DAL
Week 13	BYE	15.6 FPvs ARIHigher projection
Week 14	20.2 FPvs TBHigher projection	12.5 FPvs IND
Week 15	19.2 FPvs PITHigher projection	9.4 FPvs SEA
Week 16	20.5 FPvs CLEHigher projection	12.4 FPvs HOU
Week 17	21.5 FPvs CINHigher projection	11.1 FPvs SF
Week 18	19.6 FPvs PITHigher projection	12.2 FPvs NYG

Outlook updated Oct 31, 4:15 PM 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.

9.6 FP38.6 FP

Josh AllenQB · 99.9% rostered
24.0
Drake MayeQB · 98.9% rostered
23.7
Joe BurrowQB · 98.8% rostered
23.0
Dak PrescottQB · 92.4% rostered
22.8
Lamar JacksonQB · 98.8% rostered
21.9

What about Lamar Jackson versus these pickups?

QB · Week 8

Jayden Daniels21.5projected FP

Lamar Jackson21.9projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 8

Lamar Jackson21.9projected FP

Trevor Lawrence20.7projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 8

Kirk Cousins15.6projected FP

Lamar Jackson21.9projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗QB · Week 8

Drake Maye23.7projected FP

Lamar Jackson21.9projected 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 8