Chase McLaughlin · Wil Lutz · 2026 week 9

Chase McLaughlin or Wil Lutz?

Wondering who you should start this week — Chase McLaughlin or Wil Lutz? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start Chase McLaughlin — barelyThis one is a coin flip — the projections are within 0.6 points. The matchup leans Chase McLaughlin (CHI allow the 32nd-most K points), but you can defend either call.

Player	Wk 9	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Chase McLaughlin START	@ CHI	8.0	32nd · tough	13.7	–	healthy
Wil Lutz	@ CAR	7.4	18th	10	–	healthy

Ks vs CHI recently: Nick Folk 1 pts (W6) · Andy Borregales 7 pts (W7) · Jason Myers 1 pts (W8).

Ks vs CAR recently: Jake Elliott 2 pts (W6) · Chase McLaughlin 12 pts (W7) · Trey Smack 2 pts (W8).

🎓 The coach's read

Projections are 0.6 apart — too close to call on projection alone.
Wil Lutz has the higher floor (3) — the safer start if you are favoured.
Chase McLaughlin has the higher ceiling (13.8) — the play if you need points.
Chase McLaughlin faces CHI, 32nd most generous to Ks.
Wil Lutz faces CAR, 18th most generous to Ks.

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

Chase McLaughlin or Nick Folk?Chase McLaughlin or Daniel Carlson?Chase McLaughlin or Chris Boswell?Wil Lutz or Brandon McManus?Wil Lutz or Chad Ryland?Wil Lutz or Joey Slye?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.