Evan McPherson · Jake Bates · 2026 week 9
Evan McPherson or Jake Bates?
Wondering who you should start this week — Evan McPherson or Jake Bates? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.
Start Evan McPherson — barely This one is a coin flip — the projections are within 0.9 points. The matchup leans Evan McPherson (ATL allow the 23rd-most K points), but you can defend either call.
Player Wk 9 Proj (PPR) Matchup Form L3 Trade value Status
Evan McPherson START @ ATL
9.3 23rd 5.7
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healthy Jake Bates @ MIA
8.4 21st 8.3
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healthy
Ks vs ATL recently: Cairo Santos 8 pts (W6) · Eddy Pineiro 1 pts (W7) · Chase McLaughlin 12 pts (W8).
Ks vs MIA recently: Evan McPherson 7 pts (W5) · Jason Sanders 4 pts (W7) · Andy Borregales 5 pts (W8).
🎓 The coach's read
Projections are 0.9 apart — too close to call on projection alone. Jake Bates has the higher floor (3.9) — the safer start if you are favoured. Evan McPherson has the higher ceiling (17.1) — the play if you need points. Evan McPherson is boom-or-bust — about 21% more volatile week to week than a typical K projected here — wider range in both directions. Jake Bates is steady — about 14% less volatile week to week than a typical K projected here — higher floor, lower ceiling. Evan McPherson faces ATL, 23rd most generous to Ks. 🔔 Ping me if Evan McPherson or Jake Bates 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.