Should I start Luke Schoonmaker or Will Mallory this week? Week 8 Standard (2026)

THE RESEARCH PICK

Start Will Mallory

Week 8 · Standard

Will Mallory averaged 6.0 targets per game across the last 1 recorded games, compared with 0.3 for Luke Schoonmaker. More opportunities provide another route to fantasy points. Recent scoring favors Will Mallory: 1.0 versus 0.3 FP per game.

Forecast updated Oct 28, 2026, 1:09 AM ET · Standard

THE ALTERNATIVE

Luke Schoonmaker

TE · DALStats & schedule

0.7FF projected

↑ +0.3 vs ESPN

vs ARI

Sun 1:00 PM ET

RESEARCH PICK

Will Mallory

TE · INDStats & schedule

0.6FF projected

↓ -0.2 vs ESPN

at JAC

Sun 1:00 PM ET

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

Luke Schoonmaker

FF0.7 FP

Boosted Trees0.7 FP

Workload0.3 FP

Monte Carlo0.4 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: -2.7–4.5 FP

His prior three-game scoring average was 0.5 FP. Compared with holding recent form level with the forecast, that scoring history shifts the tree estimate down 0.2 FP. This isolates model sensitivity, not a guaranteed football outcome.
Recent scoring average: 0.3 FP.
The ARI defensive matchup changes the FF estimate up 3.75%.
The saved workload scenario allocates 0.3 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include KaVontae Turpin, Emari Demercado; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 3 recorded games: 0.3 targets per game.

Will Mallory

FF0.6 FP

Boosted Trees0.7 FP

Workload1.4 FP

Monte Carlo1.7 FP

Middle 80% scoring range: -1.4–6.0 FP

His prior three-game scoring average was 2.0 FP. Compared with holding recent form level with the forecast, that scoring history shifts the tree estimate down 0.5 FP. This isolates model sensitivity, not a guaranteed football outcome.
Recent scoring average: 1.0 FP.
The saved workload scenario allocates 2.0 targets and 0.0 carries. These are conditional estimates, not confirmed opportunities.
Return scenarios include Anthony Gould, Tyler Warren; their availability can redistribute the workload.
Last 1 recorded games: 6.0 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.

Luke Schoonmaker

Fortified0.7

ESPN0.3

Sleeper0.9

FantasyPros0.8

Luke Schoonmaker faces ARI in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 0.3 fantasy points. The position-specific defensive matchup adjusts the forecast up 3.75%.

Will Mallory

Fortified0.6

ESPN0.9

Sleeper0.2

FantasyPros0.7

Will Mallory faces JAC in Week 8. Recent scoring average: 1.0 fantasy points.

Luke Schoonmaker projects for 0.7 points in standard scoring, 0.1 more than Will Mallory. The gap is small; late injury news or your league’s scoring can change the choice.

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 1:09 AM ET. Projections can change before kickoff.

Your next decision

Tap a player for alternatives, or search a name.

First playerSecond player

SEE THE WHOLE SEASON

Don’t just win Sunday.
Win what’s next.

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

WEEK 8PLAYOFFS ♛

Build my Game Plan Your team. Your league’s rules.See an example GamePlan ↗

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.