THE ALTERNATIVE
John Bates
TE · WASStats & schedule ›1.6FF projected
↑ +0.1 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. Recent scoring favors Will Kacmarek: 2.0 versus 0.8 FP per game.
Forecast updated · PPR
vs PHIRESEARCH PICK
Will Kacmarek
TE · MIAStats & schedule ›1.6FF projected
↓ -0.4 vs ESPN
vs NESun 4:25 PM ET
John Bates
FF1.6 FP
Boosted Trees— FP
Workload— FP
Monte Carlo— FP
- Recent scoring average: 0.8 FP.
- Last 3 recorded games: 0.7 targets per game.
Will Kacmarek
FF1.6 FP
Boosted Trees— FP
Workload— FP
Monte Carlo— FP
- Recent scoring average: 2.0 FP.
- The NE defensive matchup changes the FF estimate down 2.5%.
- Last 3 recorded games: 1.3 targets per game.
John Bates
Fortified1.6
ESPN1.6
Sleeper1.8
FantasyPros—
John Bates faces PHI in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 0.8 fantasy points.
Will Kacmarek
Fortified1.6
ESPN2.0
Sleeper1.3
FantasyPros—
Will Kacmarek faces NE in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 2.0 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 2.5%.
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