Who should I pick up: Darren Waller or Tyler Higbee?

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

THE PICKUP CALL

For this week: Darren Waller

If both are available and you need Week 9 points, pick up Darren Waller over Tyler Higbee: 4.0 versus 3.7 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, 4:22 PM ET · Standard

THIS-WEEK PICKUP

Darren Waller

TE · CAR · vs DEN

Stats & schedule ›

4.0FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

8.7%rostered on ESPN-0.71 pp recent change

THE ALTERNATIVE

Tyler Higbee

TE · LAR · vs WAS

Stats & schedule ›

3.7FF projected FP

Nov 8, 1:00 PM ET

11.9%rostered on ESPN-1.82 pp recent change

WHY THIS PICKUP?

Fit the move to the job.

Darren Waller is the stronger immediate points option. Darren Waller 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.

Darren Waller

Darren Waller projects for 4.0 Standard points against DEN this week. His recent scoring average is 4.0 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 1.25%. He is rostered in 8.7% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 0.71 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 4.0 FP
ESPN: 3.7 FP
Sleeper: 4.6 FP
FantasyPros: 3.7 FP
Boosted Trees: 4.1 FP

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

Tyler Higbee

Tyler Higbee projects for 3.7 Standard points against WAS this week. His recent scoring average is 1.0 FP. The defensive matchup raises the FF estimate by 8.75%. He is rostered in 11.9% of ESPN leagues, with a reported decline of 1.82 percentage points. Roster trends measure manager activity, not a guarantee of playing time or availability in your league.

Fortified Fantasy: 3.7 FP
ESPN: 3.3 FP
Sleeper: 4.2 FP
FantasyPros: 4.0 FP
Boosted Trees: 4.4 FP

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

Roster data as of Nov 4, 3:30 PM ET / Nov 4, 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	Darren Waller	Tyler Higbee
Next 3 weeks	12.9 FPHigher projection3/3 scheduled games projected	7.7 FP2/2 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed
Remaining regular-season schedule	41.5 FPHigher projection10/10 scheduled games projected	30.3 FP9/9 scheduled games projected · Bye Week 11 · cover needed
Weeks 15–18	16.5 FPHigher projection4/4 scheduled games projected	12.9 FP4/4 scheduled games projected

Weekly pickup outlook

Week	Darren Waller	Tyler Higbee
Week 9	4.0 FPvs DENHigher projection	3.7 FPvs WAS
Week 10	4.6 FPvs NOHigher projection	4.0 FPvs ARI
Week 11	4.4 FPvs BALHigher projection	BYE
Week 12	4.1 FPvs TBHigher projection	3.1 FPvs GB
Week 13	3.4 FPvs MIN	3.4 FPvs KC
Week 14	4.7 FPvs NOHigher projection	3.2 FPvs SF
Week 15	4.4 FPvs CINHigher projection	3.9 FPvs DAL
Week 16	4.2 FPvs PITHigher projection	2.9 FPvs SEA
Week 17	3.6 FPvs SEAHigher projection	3.3 FPvs TB
Week 18	4.2 FPvs ATLHigher projection	2.9 FPvs SEA

Outlook updated Nov 4, 4:29 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
Sam LaPortaTE · 96.4% rostered
8.0
Isaiah LikelyTE · 95.1% rostered
8.0

See full TE rankings ↗

What about Darren Waller versus these pickups?

TE · Week 9

Darren Waller4.0projected FP

Eli Raridon4.1projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Darren Waller4.0projected FP

Michael Mayer4.4projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Darren Waller4.0projected FP

Juwan Johnson4.5projected FP

Compare the pickups ↗TE · Week 9

Darren Waller4.0projected FP

Mark Andrews3.5projected 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