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: 5.5 versus 5.0 projected FP in Standard. A longer-term hold can be a different decision; compare the outlook below before choosing who to drop.

Forecast updated Nov 4, 1:42 PM ET · Standard

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 ›

5.0FF 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 ›

5.5FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

9.8%rostered on ESPN-2.10 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 5.0 Standard points against ARI this week. His recent scoring average is 2.8 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 3.75%. 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: 5.0 FP
ESPN: 5.7 FP
Sleeper: 5.1 FP
FantasyPros: 4.9 FP
Boosted Trees: 5.8 FP

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

Mason Taylor

Mason Taylor projects for 5.5 Standard points against KC this week. His recent scoring average is 8.5 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 5%. He is rostered in 9.8% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 2.10 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 5.5 FP
ESPN: 5.0 FP
Sleeper: 4.1 FP
FantasyPros: 4.4 FP
Boosted Trees: 3.0 FP

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

Roster data as of Nov 4, 1:30 PM ET / Nov 4, 1:30 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	10.3 FP2/2 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed	16.8 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected
Remaining regular-season schedule	41.9 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed	51.1 FPHigher projection9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 13 · cover needed
Weeks 15–18	17.5 FP4/4 scheduled games projected	22.3 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	AJ Barner	Mason Taylor
Week 9	5.0 FPvs ARI	5.5 FPvs KCHigher projection
Week 10	5.3 FPvs LV	5.9 FPvs BUFHigher projection
Week 11	BYE	5.5 FPvs LACHigher projection
Week 12	4.3 FPvs SF	6.6 FPvs MIAHigher projection
Week 13	5.1 FPvs DALHigher projection	BYE
Week 14	4.7 FPvs NYG	5.4 FPvs DENHigher projection
Week 15	4.3 FPvs PHI	6.3 FPvs ARIHigher projection
Week 16	4.3 FPvs LAR	5.6 FPvs NEHigher projection
Week 17	4.6 FPvs CAR	4.6 FPvs MIN
Week 18	4.2 FPvs LAR	5.8 FPvs BUFHigher projection

Outlook updated Nov 4, 1:43 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.

7.3 FP11.8 FP

Brock BowersTE · 99.9% rostered
11.6
George KittleTE · 98.2% rostered
11.4
Trey McBrideTE · 99.9% rostered
8.6
Isaiah LikelyTE · 95.1% rostered
8.1
Sam LaPortaTE · 96.4% rostered
8.0

See full TE rankings ↗

What about Mason Taylor versus these pickups?

TE · Week 9

Mason Taylor5.5projected FP

Mike Gesicki6.7projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Mark Andrews3.5projected FP

Mason Taylor5.5projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Mason Taylor5.5projected FP

Pat FreiermuthBYEthis week

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Dallas Goedert5.5projected FP

Mason Taylor5.5projected 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