Should I start Darnell Washington or Darren Waller this week? Week 8 PPR (2026)

THE RESEARCH PICK

Start Darnell Washington

Week 8 · PPR

Recent scoring favors Darnell Washington: 7.7 versus 6.0 FP per game. Darnell Washington receives the better positional matchup adjustment (0% versus -8.75%).

Forecast updated Oct 28, 2026, 1:26 AM ET · PPR

RESEARCH PICK

Darnell Washington

TE · PITStats & schedule

6.4FF projected

↓ -0.1 vs ESPN

vs CLE

Sun 1:00 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Darren Waller

TE · CARStats & schedule

6.1FF projected

↑ +0.7 vs ESPN

at GB

Thu 8:15 PM ET

Experimental research pick, not a proven win probability. This does not change either FF projection.

Darnell Washington

FF6.4 FP

Boosted Trees8.3 FP

Workload5.2 FP

Monte Carlo5.3 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: -0.2–12.2 FP

Recent scoring average: 7.7 FP.
The saved workload scenario allocates 3.2 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include Ben Skowronek; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 4.7 targets per game.

Darren Waller

FF6.1 FP

Boosted Trees6.3 FP

Workload5.2 FP

Monte Carlo5.3 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: -0.2–12.3 FP

His prior three-game scoring average was 0.0 FP. Compared with holding recent form level with the forecast, that scoring history shifts the tree estimate down 0.4 FP. This isolates model sensitivity, not a guaranteed football outcome.
Recent scoring average: 6.0 FP.
The GB defensive matchup changes the FF estimate down 8.75%.
The saved workload scenario allocates 3.1 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include Jalen Coker; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 5.3 targets per game.

Experimental models are research signals, not a validated tiebreaker yet. Missing saved results stay blank. No simulations or training were run for this request.

Darnell Washington

Fortified6.4

ESPN6.5

Sleeper6.1

FantasyPros6.3

Darnell Washington faces CLE in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 7.7 fantasy points.

Darren Waller

Fortified6.1

ESPN5.4

Sleeper7.7

FantasyPros6.8

Darren Waller faces GB in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 6.0 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 8.75%.

Darnell Washington projects for 6.4 points in PPR scoring, 0.3 more than Darren Waller. The gap is small; late injury news or your league’s scoring can change the choice. FantasyPros refresh is rate-limited. Same-week cached projections are used (under one hour old; oldest update Oct 28, 2026, 1:07 AM ET).

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 1:26 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.