Should I start Denzel Boston or T.J. Hockenson this week? Week 9 PPR (2026)

THE FF CALL

Start T.J. Hockenson

+1.1 projected edge · PPR

Start T.J. Hockenson over Denzel Boston for Week 9 PPR: 11.3 projected points versus 10.3.

Denzel Boston: 6.0 FP recent scoring average.
T.J. Hockenson: 14.7 FP recent scoring average.

Forecast updated Nov 4, 2026, 12:41 PM ET · PPR

FF PICK

T.J. Hockenson

TE · MINStats & schedule

11.3FF projected

↑ +0.6 vs ESPN

vs BUF

Mon 8:15 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Denzel Boston

WR · CLEStats & schedule

10.3FF projected

↓ -2.0 vs ESPN

at NO

Sun 1:00 PM ET

Why this pick?

T.J. Hockenson

Fortified11.3

ESPN10.7

Sleeper10.8

FantasyPros10.3

T.J. Hockenson faces BUF in Week 9. Recent scoring average: 14.7 fantasy points.

Denzel Boston

Fortified10.3

ESPN12.3

Sleeper10.7

FantasyPros10.7

Denzel Boston faces NO in Week 9. Recent scoring average: 6.0 fantasy points.

T.J. Hockenson projects for 11.3 points in PPR scoring, 1.1 more than Denzel Boston. This is a projection-based recommendation, not a guarantee. Verify the latest injury report and active status before kickoff.

Updated Nov 4, 2026, 12:41 PM ET. Projections can change before kickoff.

THE MATCHUP, IN CONTEXT

What separates Denzel Boston and T.J. Hockenson?

T.J. Hockenson holds a 1.1 FP projected edge over Denzel Boston. Read that as an expected-points preference, not a promise that he will finish higher.

The available estimates disagree: ESPN, FantasyPros lean toward Denzel Boston, while Sleeper leans toward T.J. Hockenson. That disagreement is a reason to examine the matchup and availability rather than count providers as votes.

Denzel Boston

Denzel Boston has a 10.3 FP forecast in PPR at NO. His recorded recent scoring average is 6.0 FP, putting this forecast 4.3 points above that average.

T.J. Hockenson

T.J. Hockenson has a 11.3 FP forecast in PPR against BUF. His recorded recent scoring average is 14.7 FP, putting this forecast 3.3 points below that average.

Compare the saved forecasts side by side

Source	Denzel Boston	T.J. Hockenson	Projected edge
ESPN	12.3 FP	10.7 FP	Denzel Boston +1.6
Sleeper	10.7 FP	10.8 FP	T.J. Hockenson +0.1
FantasyPros	10.7 FP	10.3 FP	Denzel Boston +0.5

Model save times and conditional-input notes are listed in Why this pick. These forecasts use the selected scoring preset; they do not replace custom league rules.

Before the first kickoff. Denzel Boston: Sun 1:00 PM ET. T.J. Hockenson: Mon 8:15 PM ET. If a questionable player has the later kickoff, keep an eligible later-game replacement available. Where your league allows it, putting a later-game starter in FLEX can preserve swap options.

This is a lineup choice, not an instruction to drop the other player. For bye coverage, roster moves and your league’s actual playoff weeks, build your GamePlan ↗.

Your next decision

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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.

FORTIFIED RANKINGS · Rankings position · WEEK 9 · PPR

FLEX. The bigger picture.

Ranked by FF expected points. Displayed ties favor the higher FF-minus-ESPN margin. Medians and ranges add context.

FF expected pointsMedian · when availableWindow: experimental middle 80%● ESPN● Sleeper● FantasyPros

3 shown · common FP scale

22.527.9

FF MEAN

1
Jahmyr GibbsRB · DET vs MIASun 1:00 PM ETRange unavailable
Mean 27.9Range unavailable
Median unavailable
ESPN 26.5Sleeper 25.8FantasyPros 26.1
27.9Expected FP
2
Jaxon Smith-NjigbaWR · SEA vs ARISun 4:25 PM ETRange unavailable
Mean 25.2Range unavailable
Median unavailable
ESPN 22.5Sleeper 24.5FantasyPros 23.6
25.2Expected FP
3
Puka NacuaWR · LAR vs WASSun 1:00 PM ETRange unavailable
Mean 24.5Range unavailable
Median unavailable
ESPN 24.1Sleeper 23.0FantasyPros 24.0
24.5Expected FP

How the forecast and ranges work

FF uses position-specific provider weights, rescored CBS and FFToday stats, and the existing bounded form, defense and metric adjustments. Saved Boosted Trees and Workload have bounded model influence when available. Monte Carlo supplies the distribution; it does not get a duplicate mean vote.

Every player is ranked by the FF expected score (mean), whether or not a simulation distribution is available. Equal displayed scores use the higher FF-minus-ESPN margin when both ESPN forecasts are known, then unrounded FF, a comparable FantasyPros/Sleeper estimate, and stable identity order if still level. This tiebreaker is not a measured probability of beating ESPN. The median marker is additional information and never changes the order. Missing or availability-conditional ranges do not switch the ranking statistic. The window shows the experimental middle 80% (P10–P90), rather than the difference between two model means. Its observed coverage under this new version is still collecting. Availability-conditional distributions are labeled and are not shifted to a different center.

Missing sources and incompatible scoring are excluded. Bye and confirmed unavailable players remain excluded. ESPN, Sleeper and FantasyPros are the benchmark markers. The common scale covers the displayed outcome windows and available benchmarks.

YOUR LINEUP · A CLOSER LOOK

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WR · Week 9