FORTIFIED FANTASY

Week 82026 ยท Standard ยท THIS WEEK

Should I start Drew Stevens or Jake Bates this week? Week 8 Standard (2026)

THE FF CALL

Slight lean: Jake Bates

+0.7 projected edge ยท Standard

Start Jake Bates over Drew Stevens for Week 8 Standard: 9.4 projected points versus 8.7.

  • Drew Stevens: 7.0 FP recent scoring average.
  • Jake Bates: 14.0 FP recent scoring average; 1.25% matchup reduction against MIN.

Forecast updated ยท Standard

Jake Bates
Why this pick?

Jake Bates

Fortified9.4
ESPN8.4
Sleeper8.3
FantasyProsโ€”

Jake Bates faces MIN in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 14.0 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 1.25%.

Drew Stevens

Fortified8.7
ESPN8.6
Sleeper8.9
FantasyProsโ€”

Drew Stevens faces PHI in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 7.0 fantasy points.

Jake Bates projects for 9.4 points in standard scoring, 0.7 more than Drew Stevens. The gap is small; late injury news or your leagueโ€™s scoring can change the choice.

Updated Oct 26, 2026, 4:38 AM ET. Projections can change before kickoff.

Actuals, projections & playoff outlook

Your next decision

Tap a player for alternatives, or search a name.

SEE THE WHOLE SEASON

Donโ€™t just win Sunday.
Win whatโ€™s next.

Your roster. Every week.
A plan for the playoffs.

WEEK 7PLAYOFFS โ™›
Build my Game Plan Your team. Your leagueโ€™s rules.
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.

More Week 8 decisions

Still deciding on Jake Bates?

K ยท Week 8Jake Bates or Will Reichard?9.4 vs 11.0 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
K ยท Week 8Jake Bates or Chris Boswell?9.4 vs 9.6 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
K ยท Week 8Jake Bates or Matt Gay?9.4 vs 9.0 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
K ยท Week 8Jake Bates or Tyler Bass?9.4 vs 9.8 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—

Other close calls

K ยท Week 8Will Reichard or Spencer Shrader?11.0 vs 10.4 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
K ยท Week 8Spencer Shrader or Cam Little?10.4 vs 9.8 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
K ยท Week 8Cam Little or Tyler Bass?9.8 vs 9.8 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
K ยท Week 8Tyler Bass or Chris Boswell?9.8 vs 9.6 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
K ยท Week 8Matt Gay or Chase McLaughlin?9.0 vs 8.9 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
K ยท Week 8Chase McLaughlin or Chad Ryland?8.9 vs 8.8 projected ยท Compare the matchup โ†—
Compare other players Week 8