THE ALTERNATIVE
John Bates
TE · WASStats & schedule ›1.6FF projected
= 0.0 vs ESPN
vs PHISun 8:20 PM ET
Should I start John Bates or Jonnu Smith this week? Week 8 PPR (2026)
THE RESEARCH PICK
Start Jonnu Smith
Week 8 · PPR
Jonnu Smith receives the better positional matchup adjustment (0% versus -1.25%).
Forecast updated · PPR
vs PHIRESEARCH PICK
Jonnu Smith
TE · GBStats & schedule ›1.8FF projected
↑ +0.1 vs ESPN
vs CARThu 8:15 PM ET
John Bates
FF1.6 FP
Boosted Trees2.4 FP
Workload1.3 FP
Monte Carlo1.1 FP
- Recent scoring average: 1.3 FP.
- The PHI defensive matchup changes the FF estimate down 1.25%.
- The saved workload scenario allocates 0.7 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
- Return scenarios include Marcus Mariota; their availability can redistribute the workload.
- Last 3 recorded games: 0.7 targets per game.
Jonnu Smith
FF1.8 FP
Boosted Trees2.2 FP
Workload1.1 FP
Monte Carlo1.5 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: 0.6 FP.
- The saved workload scenario allocates 0.7 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
- Return scenarios include Matthew Golden; their availability can redistribute the workload.
- Last 3 recorded games: 0.3 targets per game.
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 1.25%.
Jonnu Smith
Fortified1.8
ESPN1.8
Sleeper2.0
Jonnu Smith faces CAR in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 0.6 fantasy points.
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