THE ALTERNATIVE
John Bates
TE · WASStats & schedule ›1.8FF projected
↑ +0.2 vs ESPN
vs PHISun 8:20 PM ET
Should I start John Bates or Will Kacmarek this week? Week 8 PPR (2026)
THE RESEARCH PICK
Start Will Kacmarek
Week 8 · PPR
Will Kacmarek averaged 1.3 targets per game across the last 3 recorded games, compared with 0.7 for John Bates. More opportunities provide another route to fantasy points. Will Kacmarek receives the better positional matchup adjustment (0% versus -2.5%).
Forecast updated · PPR
vs PHIRESEARCH PICK
Will Kacmarek
TE · MIAStats & schedule ›1.9FF projected
↓ -0.2 vs ESPN
vs NESun 4:25 PM ET
John Bates
FF1.8 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 2.5%.
- 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.
Will Kacmarek
FF1.9 FP
Boosted Trees3.0 FP
Workload2.1 FP
Monte Carlo1.5 FP
- His prior three-game scoring average was 1.5 FP. Compared with holding recent form level with the forecast, that scoring history shifts the tree estimate up 0.1 FP. This isolates model sensitivity, not a guaranteed football outcome.
- Recent scoring average: 0.8 FP.
- The saved workload scenario allocates 1.3 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
- Return scenarios include Jaylen Wright; their availability can redistribute the workload.
- Last 3 recorded games: 1.3 targets per game.
John Bates
Fortified1.8
ESPN1.6
Sleeper1.8
FantasyPros2.1
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%.
Will Kacmarek
Fortified1.9
ESPN2.1
Sleeper1.3
FantasyPros2.3
Will Kacmarek faces NE in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 0.8 fantasy points.
FEATURED · YOUR NEXT MOVEFortress Builder.
See an example GamePlan ↗Fortress Builder.
Your next advantage.
Start a conversation. Set your lineup, scout your opponent, or plan who to add, drop—and when.
Build my GamePlan
No signup required · Photos stay on your device
YOUR PICKUP MAP EXAMPLE
#1 Week · #1 ROS · #1 Playoffs
#3 Playoffs
#3 Week
Your next decision
SEE THE WHOLE SEASON
Don’t just win Sunday.
Win what’s next.
Your roster. Every week.
A plan for the playoffs.
WEEK 8PLAYOFFS ♛
Build my Game Plan Your team. Your league’s rules.See an example GamePlan ↗
Scoring & lineup notes
More Week 8 decisions
TE · Week 8Will Kacmarek1.9projected FP
Trey McBride19.4projected FPCompare the matchup TE · Week 8Will Kacmarek1.9projected FP
Connor Heyward2.0projected FPCompare the matchup TE · Week 8Will Kacmarek1.9projected FP
Jonnu Smith2.0projected FPCompare the matchup TE · Week 8Will Kacmarek1.9projected FP
Jeremy Ruckert1.7projected FPCompare the matchup
Will Kacmarek1.9projected FPTrey McBride19.4projected FPWill Kacmarek1.9projected FPConnor Heyward2.0projected FPWill Kacmarek1.9projected FPJonnu Smith2.0projected FPWill Kacmarek1.9projected FPJeremy Ruckert1.7projected FPTE · Week 8Trey McBride19.4projected FP
Brock Bowers16.2projected FPCompare the matchup TE · Week 8Brock Bowers16.2projected FP
Tyler Warren13.9projected FPCompare the matchup TE · Week 8Tyler Warren13.9projected FP
T.J. Hockenson12.1projected FPCompare the matchup TE · Week 8T.J. Hockenson12.1projected FP
Hunter Henry11.7projected FPCompare the matchup TE · Week 8Hunter Henry11.7projected FP
Tucker Kraft11.4projected FPCompare the matchup TE · Week 8Tucker Kraft11.4projected FP
Dallas Goedert11.3projected FPCompare the matchup
Compare other players Week 8Trey McBride19.4projected FPBrock Bowers16.2projected FPBrock Bowers16.2projected FPTyler Warren13.9projected FPTyler Warren13.9projected FPT.J. Hockenson12.1projected FPT.J. Hockenson12.1projected FPHunter Henry11.7projected FPHunter Henry11.7projected FPTucker Kraft11.4projected FPTucker Kraft11.4projected FPDallas Goedert11.3projected FP