Should I start Jalen Royals or Troy Franklin this week? Week 8 Standard (2026)

THE RESEARCH PICK

Start Jalen Royals

Week 8 · Standard

Jalen Royals averaged 2.3 targets per game across the last 3 recorded games, compared with 1.0 for Troy Franklin. More opportunities provide another route to fantasy points. Recent scoring favors Jalen Royals: 1.2 versus 0.6 FP per game. Jalen Royals receives the better positional matchup adjustment (-2.5% versus -8.75%).

Forecast updated Oct 28, 2026, 1:40 AM ET · Standard

RESEARCH PICK

Jalen Royals

WR · KCStats & schedule

1.8FF projected

↓ -0.8 vs ESPN

at DEN

Sun 4:25 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Troy Franklin

WR · DENStats & schedule

1.9FF projected

↓ -0.4 vs ESPN

vs KC

Sun 4:25 PM ET

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

Jalen Royals

FF1.8 FP

Boosted Trees3.4 FP

Workload2.1 FP

Monte Carlo2.3 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: -0.9–7.1 FP

Recent scoring average: 1.2 FP.
The DEN defensive matchup changes the FF estimate down 2.5%.
The saved workload scenario allocates 2.7 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include Rashee Rice; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 2.3 targets per game.

Troy Franklin

FF1.9 FP

Boosted Trees2.7 FP

Workload2.1 FP

Monte Carlo2.0 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: -1.3–6.7 FP

His prior three-game scoring average was 0.9 FP. Compared with holding recent form level with the forecast, that scoring history shifts the tree estimate up 0.2 FP. This isolates model sensitivity, not a guaranteed football outcome.
Recent scoring average: 0.6 FP.
The KC defensive matchup changes the FF estimate down 8.75%.
The saved workload scenario allocates 2.2 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include Jaylen Waddle; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 1.0 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.

Jalen Royals

Fortified1.8

ESPN2.6

Sleeper1.1

FantasyPros1.7

Jalen Royals faces DEN in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 1.2 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 2.5%.

Troy Franklin

Fortified1.9

ESPN2.4

Sleeper2.1

FantasyPros2.4

Troy Franklin faces KC in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 0.6 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast down 8.75%.

Troy Franklin projects for 1.9 points in standard scoring, 0.1 more than Jalen Royals. The gap is small; late injury news or your league’s scoring can change the choice. FantasyPros refresh is rate-limited. Same-week cached projections are used (under one hour old; oldest update Oct 28, 2026, 1:07 AM ET).

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 1:40 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.