Charlie Smyth · Ryan Fitzgerald · 2026 week 9
Charlie Smyth or Ryan Fitzgerald?
Wondering who you should start this week — Charlie Smyth or Ryan Fitzgerald? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.
Start Ryan Fitzgerald — barely This one is a coin flip — the projections are within 0.2 points. The matchup leans Ryan Fitzgerald (DEN allow the 19th-most K points), but you can defend either call.
Player Wk 9 Proj (PPR) Matchup Form L3 Trade value Status
Charlie Smyth vs CLE
7.3 14th –
–
healthy Ryan Fitzgerald START vs DEN
7.5 19th 8.3
–
healthy
Ks vs CLE recently: Tyler Loop 3 pts (W6) · Joey Slye 6 pts (W7) · Chris Boswell 8 pts (W8).
Ks vs DEN recently: Jason Myers 7 pts (W6) · Chad Ryland 11 pts (W7) · Harrison Butker 6 pts (W8).
🎓 The coach's read
Projections are 0.2 apart — too close to call on projection alone. Charlie Smyth has the higher floor (2.5) — the safer start if you are favoured. Ryan Fitzgerald has the higher ceiling (13.5) — the play if you need points. Ryan Fitzgerald is boom-or-bust — about 12% more volatile week to week than a typical K projected here — wider range in both directions. Charlie Smyth faces CLE, 14th most generous to Ks. Ryan Fitzgerald faces DEN, 19th most generous to Ks. 🔔 Ping me if Charlie Smyth or Ryan Fitzgerald is ruled out
Who wins a straight-up trade?
Their trade values are effectively even — a one-for-one is a fair swap on the numbers.
Open in Start/Sit (any scoring)
Open in the Trade Analyzer
More K decisions
All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.