Who should I pick up: AJ Barner or Michael Mayer?

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

THE PICKUP CALL

For this week: AJ Barner

If both are available and you need Week 9 points, pick up AJ Barner over Michael Mayer: 5.0 versus 4.4 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, 1:56 PM ET · Standard

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

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

THE ALTERNATIVE

Michael Mayer

TE · LV · vs SF

Stats & schedule ›

4.4FF projected FP

Nov 8, 4:25 PM ET

22.6%rostered on ESPN-0.09 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

AJ Barner 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

Michael Mayer

Michael Mayer projects for 4.4 Standard points against SF this week. His recent scoring average is 6.0 FP. The defensive matchup reduces the FF estimate by 1.25%. He is rostered in 22.6% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.09 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 4.4 FP
ESPN: 4.1 FP
Sleeper: 4.2 FP
FantasyPros: 4.3 FP
Boosted Trees: 4.2 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	Michael Mayer
Next 3 weeks	10.3 FP2/2 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed	12.7 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected
Remaining regular-season schedule	41.9 FPHigher projection9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed	40.5 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 13 · cover needed
Weeks 15–18	17.5 FP4/4 scheduled games projected	19.0 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	AJ Barner	Michael Mayer
Week 9	5.0 FPvs ARIHigher projection	4.4 FPvs SF
Week 10	5.3 FPvs LVHigher projection	4.0 FPvs SEA
Week 11	BYE	4.3 FPvs DENHigher projection
Week 12	4.3 FPvs SF	4.3 FPvs CLE
Week 13	5.1 FPvs DALHigher projection	BYE
Week 14	4.7 FPvs NYGHigher projection	4.5 FPvs LAC
Week 15	4.3 FPvs PHI	4.4 FPvs DENHigher projection
Week 16	4.3 FPvs LAR	4.9 FPvs TENHigher projection
Week 17	4.6 FPvs CAR	5.2 FPvs ARIHigher projection
Week 18	4.2 FPvs LAR	4.5 FPvs KCHigher projection

Outlook updated Nov 4, 2:06 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 AJ Barner versus these pickups?

TE · Week 9

AJ Barner5.0projected FP

Chig Okonkwo4.7projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

AJ Barner5.0projected FP

Colby Parkinson5.2projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

AJ Barner5.0projected FP

Cade Otton3.3projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Hunter Henry5.1projected FP

AJ Barner5.0projected 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