Should I start Gavin Bartholomew or Jonnu Smith this week? Week 8 Standard (2026)

THE RESEARCH PICK

Start Gavin Bartholomew

Week 8 · Standard

Gavin Bartholomew averaged 2.3 targets per game across the last 3 recorded games, compared with 0.3 for Jonnu Smith. More opportunities provide another route to fantasy points. Recent scoring favors Gavin Bartholomew: 2.5 versus 0.3 FP per game. Gavin Bartholomew receives the better positional matchup adjustment (10% versus 0%).

Forecast updated Oct 28, 2026, 2:19 AM ET · Standard

RESEARCH PICK

Gavin Bartholomew

TE · MINStats & schedule

1.2FF projected

↓ -0.2 vs ESPN

at DET

Sun 1:00 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Jonnu Smith

TE · GBStats & schedule

1.0FF projected

↑ +0.1 vs ESPN

vs CAR

Thu 8:15 PM ET

Experimental research pick, not a proven win probability. This does not change either FF projection.

Gavin Bartholomew

FF1.2 FP

Boosted Trees0.8 FP

Workload1.9 FP

Monte Carlo2.1 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: -1.0–6.7 FP

His prior three-game scoring average was 3.3 FP. Compared with holding recent form level with the forecast, that scoring history shifts the tree estimate down 0.7 FP. This isolates model sensitivity, not a guaranteed football outcome.
Recent scoring average: 2.5 FP.
The DET defensive matchup changes the FF estimate up 10%.
The saved workload scenario allocates 2.0 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include Aaron Jones Sr.; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 2.3 targets per game.

Jonnu Smith

FF1.0 FP

Boosted Trees1.6 FP

Workload0.6 FP

Monte Carlo0.8 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: -2.3–4.9 FP

Recent scoring average: 0.3 FP.
The saved workload scenario allocates 0.7 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include Matthew Golden; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 0.3 targets per game.

Experimental models are research signals, not a validated tiebreaker yet. Missing saved results stay blank. No simulations or training were run for this request.

Gavin Bartholomew

Fortified1.2

ESPN1.4

Sleeper0.5

Gavin Bartholomew faces DET in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 2.5 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast up 10%.

Jonnu Smith

Fortified1.0

ESPN1.0

Sleeper1.1

Jonnu Smith faces CAR in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 0.3 fantasy points.

Gavin Bartholomew projects for 1.2 points in standard scoring, 0.2 more than Jonnu Smith. The gap is small; late injury news or your league’s scoring can change the choice. FantasyPros projections are temporarily unavailable; they are excluded from this comparison.

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 2:19 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.