Harrison Butker · Ryan Fitzgerald · 2026 week 8

Harrison Butker or Ryan Fitzgerald?

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

Start Harrison Butker — barelyThis one is a coin flip — the projections are within 0 points. The matchup leans Harrison Butker (DEN allow the 16th-most K points), but you can defend either call.

Player	Wk 8	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Harrison Butker START	@ DEN	7.6	16th	6.7	–	healthy
Ryan Fitzgerald	@ GB	7.6	30th · tough	10.3	–	healthy

Ks vs DEN recently: Cameron Dicker 6 pts (W5) · Jason Myers 7 pts (W6) · Chad Ryland 11 pts (W7).

Ks vs GB recently: Chase McLaughlin 2 pts (W4) · Brandon Aubrey 1 pts (W6) · Jake Bates 9 pts (W7).

🎓 The coach's read

They carry identical projections — projection alone cannot separate them.
Harrison Butker has the higher floor (3.1) — the safer start if you are favoured.
Ryan Fitzgerald has the higher ceiling (14.5) — the play if you need points.
Ryan Fitzgerald is boom-or-bust — about 16% more volatile week to week than a typical K projected here — wider range in both directions.
Harrison Butker faces DEN, 16th most generous to Ks.
Ryan Fitzgerald faces GB, 30th 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

Harrison Butker or Jason Myers?Harrison Butker or Matt Gay?Harrison Butker or Tyler Bass?Ryan Fitzgerald or Eddy Pineiro?Ryan Fitzgerald or Chase McLaughlin?Ryan Fitzgerald or Trey Smack?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.