
Should I start Aaron Jones Sr. or T.J. Hockenson this week? Week 9 Standard (2026)
THE FF CALL
Slight lean: T.J. Hockenson
Week 9 ยท Standard
The displayed FF scores are tied. T.J. Hockenson gets the tiebreaker: FF is +1.0 FP versus ESPN, compared with +0.8 for Aaron Jones Sr.. The higher FF-minus-ESPN margin is preferred; this is not a measured probability of beating ESPN.
Forecast updated ยท Standard



T.J. Hockenson
TE ยท MINStats & schedule โบAaron Jones Sr.
- Recent scoring average: 3.3 FP.
- The BUF defensive matchup changes the FF estimate up 3.75%.
- Last 3 recorded games: 20.7 carries per game.
T.J. Hockenson
- Recent scoring average: 10.7 FP.
- Last 3 recorded games: 6.0 targets per game.
Aaron Jones Sr.
Aaron Jones Sr. faces BUF in Week 9. Recent scoring average: 3.3 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast up 3.75%.
T.J. Hockenson
T.J. Hockenson faces BUF in Week 9. Recent scoring average: 10.7 fantasy points.
THE MATCHUP, IN CONTEXT
What separates Aaron Jones Sr. and T.J. Hockenson?
Aaron Jones Sr. and T.J. Hockenson are separated by 0.0 projected FP. That margin is too small to treat the FF order as a decisive advantage. The FF pick above follows the same expected-points and displayed-tie policy as Fortified Rankings; the saved source comparison below provides supporting context.
ESPN, Sleeper, FantasyPros, Boosted Trees project Aaron Jones Sr. higher. Agreement across these available estimates is supporting context; the models can share inputs and are not independent confirmations.
Aaron Jones Sr.
Aaron Jones Sr. has a 7.0 FP forecast in Standard against BUF. His recorded recent scoring average is 3.3 FP, putting this forecast 3.7 points above that average. The position-specific defensive adjustment raises the FF estimate by 3.75%; it is already included in the projection.
T.J. Hockenson
T.J. Hockenson has a 7.0 FP forecast in Standard against BUF. His recorded recent scoring average is 10.7 FP, putting this forecast 3.7 points below that average.
Compare the saved forecasts side by side
| Source | Aaron Jones Sr. | T.J. Hockenson | Projected edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 6.2 FP | 6.0 FP | Aaron Jones Sr. +0.2 |
| Sleeper | 7.4 FP | 6.2 FP | Aaron Jones Sr. +1.2 |
| FantasyPros | 7.3 FP | 5.8 FP | Aaron Jones Sr. +1.5 |
| Boosted Trees | 8.7 FP | 5.9 FP | Aaron Jones Sr. +2.8 |
Before the first kickoff. Aaron Jones Sr.: Mon 8:15 PM ET. T.J. Hockenson: Mon 8:15 PM ET.
Your next decision
Scoring & lineup notes
FORTIFIED RANKINGS ยท ยท WEEK 9 ยท Standard
FLEX. The bigger picture.
Ranked by FF expected points. Displayed ties favor the higher FF-minus-ESPN margin. Medians and ranges add context.
- 1
Jahmyr GibbsRB ยท DET vs MIASun 1:00 PM ETRange unavailableMean 22.6Range unavailableMedian unavailableESPN 21.8Sleeper 20.5FantasyPros 21.322.6Expected FP - 2
Kenneth Walker IIIRB ยท KC vs NYJSun 1:00 PM ETRange unavailableMean 18.8Range unavailableMedian unavailableESPN 20.0Sleeper 18.2FantasyPros 18.118.8Expected FP - 3
Jonathan TaylorRB ยท IND vs DALSun 1:00 PM ETRange unavailableMean 18.3Range unavailableMedian unavailableESPN 16.9Sleeper 15.6FantasyPros 16.518.3Expected 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% (P10โP90), 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 ยท A CLOSER LOOK
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Javonte Williams16.0projected FP
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James Cook III14.9projected FP
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Aaron Jones Sr.
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