Should I start Michael Mayer or Xavier Smith this week? Week 8 Half-PPR (2026)

THE FF CALL

Start Michael Mayer

+5.7 projected edge · Half-PPR

Start Michael Mayer over Xavier Smith for Week 8 Half-PPR: 5.7 projected points versus 0.0.

Michael Mayer: 6.1 FP recent scoring average; 2.5% matchup reduction against NYJ.
Xavier Smith: BYE.

Forecast updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:10 AM ET · Half-PPR

FF PICK

Michael Mayer

TE · LVStats & schedule

5.7FF projected

↑ +0.1 vs ESPN

at NYJ

Sun 1:00 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Xavier Smith

WR · SFStats & schedule

0.0FF projected

BYE

Check bye / schedule

Why this pick?

Michael Mayer

Fortified5.7

ESPN5.6

Sleeper5.8

Michael Mayer faces NYJ in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 6.1 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 2.5%.

Xavier Smith

Fortified0.0

Sleeper0.0

BYE

Xavier Smith is on bye in Week 8 and projects for 0.0 FP. Michael Mayer has a scheduled game and projects for 5.7 FP. Confirm his availability before kickoff. FantasyPros projections are temporarily unavailable; they are excluded from this comparison.

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:10 AM ET. Projections can change before kickoff.

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Scoring & lineup notes

PPR awards one point per reception; half-PPR awards 0.5; standard awards none. Custom league rules can change the result. Confirm active status, kickoff and lineup locks. Projections are estimates; completed-week scores are actuals.