Should I start Connor Heyward or John Bates this week? Week 8 PPR (2026)

THE FF CALL

Start John Bates

+1.2 projected edge · PPR

Start John Bates over Connor Heyward for Week 8 PPR: 1.6 projected points versus 0.4.

Connor Heyward: 0.8 FP recent scoring average.
John Bates: 1.3 FP recent scoring average; 2.5% matchup reduction against PHI.

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

FF PICK

John Bates

TE · WASStats & schedule

1.6FF projected

= 0.0 vs ESPN

vs PHI

Sun 8:20 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Connor Heyward

RB · LVStats & schedule

0.4FF projected

↑ +0.2 vs ESPN

at NYJ

Sun 1:00 PM ET

Why this pick?

John Bates

Fortified1.6

ESPN1.6

Sleeper1.8

John Bates faces PHI in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 1.3 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 2.5%.

Connor Heyward

Fortified0.4

ESPN0.3

Sleeper0.6

Connor Heyward faces NYJ in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 0.8 fantasy points.

John Bates projects for 1.6 points in PPR scoring, 1.2 more than Connor Heyward. This is a projection-based recommendation, not a guarantee. Verify the latest injury report and active status 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.