Jaleel McLaughlin · Sione Vaki · 2026 week 8

Jaleel McLaughlin or Sione Vaki?

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

Start Sione VakiSione Vaki projects 3.5 PPR points clear of Jaleel McLaughlin in week 8, drawing MIN — the 30th-ranked matchup for RBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 8	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Jaleel McLaughlin	@ PIT	0.3	25th · tough	6.2	–	healthy
Sione Vaki START	vs MIN	3.8	30th · tough	1.4	–	healthy

RBs vs PIT recently: Jonathan Taylor 8.2 pts (W5) · Bucky Irving 4.9 pts (W6) · Alvin Kamara 6.2 pts (W7).

RBs vs MIN recently: Ollie Gordon II 16 pts (W4) · Kendre Miller 9 pts (W5) · Jonathan Taylor 17 pts (W7).

🎓 The coach's read

Sione Vaki projects 3.5 points higher in PPR.
Jaleel McLaughlin faces PIT, 25th most generous to RBs.
Sione Vaki faces MIN, 30th most generous to RBs.

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

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All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.