Should I start Michael Mayer or Xavier Smith this week? Week 8 PPR (2026)

THE FF CALL

Start Michael Mayer

+7.3 projected edge · PPR

Start Michael Mayer over Xavier Smith for Week 8 PPR: 7.3 projected points versus 0.0.

Michael Mayer: 8.0 FP recent scoring average; 3.75% matchup reduction against NYJ.
Xavier Smith: BYE.

Forecast updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:10 AM ET · PPR

FF PICK

Michael Mayer

TE · LVStats & schedule

7.3FF projected

= 0.0 vs ESPN

at NYJ

Sun 1:00 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Xavier Smith

WR · SFStats & schedule

0.0FF projected

BYE

Check bye / schedule

Why this pick?

Michael Mayer

Fortified7.3

ESPN7.4

Sleeper7.5

Michael Mayer faces NYJ in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 8.0 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 3.75%.

Xavier Smith

Fortified0.0

Sleeper0.0

BYE

Xavier Smith is on bye in Week 8 and projects for 0.0 FP. Michael Mayer has a scheduled game and projects for 7.3 FP. Confirm his availability before kickoff. FantasyPros projections are temporarily unavailable; they are excluded from this comparison.

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:10 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.