Walker
RB · KC @ DEN
Kickoff Sun 4:25 PM ET
Projected points19.4pts
Swift
RB · CHI @ SEA
Kickoff Mon 8:15 PM ET
Projected points17.3ptsUsage estimate
Toss-up
Bench
D'Andre Swift or Kenneth Walker III: Who Should I Start in Week 8?
Toss-up. Kenneth Walker III gets the nod over D'Andre Swift.
- Ahead by
- +2.1pts
- over Swift
- Confidence
- Lower
- The two projections come from different sources; one is a Nuvela estimate
- Started
- 99%
- of leagues
Swift's number is our own estimate because his prop lines aren't posted yet, so this call is less sure than the gap looks.
Flips if
Start D'Andre Swift instead if you want an offense expected to score more (21.8 points to 20.8).
Risk
The risk: Walker ran for 36 yards and caught 4 for 21 last week (9.7 points).
Highlights
WalkerToss-upRB · KC @ DENUsually 24.6−5.3pts this week
Helps him
- +0.5ptscatchesHis lines put him at 3.5 catches, above his usual 3.0.
- 48%touchesHe handles 48% of his team’s touches, a lead back’s share.
Hurts him
- −2.9ptsrush yardsHis lines put him at 88.0 rushing yards, below his usual 116.8.
- −2.9ptstouchdownsHis lines put him at 0.85 touchdowns, below his usual 1.33.
- DENvs RBsEdgeDEN is the 14th toughest defense for running backs.
SwiftFirst outRB · CHI @ SEAUsually 17.5−0.3pts this week
Helps him
- +2.3ptsroleHe’s expected to play more snaps this week than he has lately.
- 3games in a rowHe has scored a touchdown in 3 straight games.
Hurts him
- −1.6ptspaceFew players at his position keep up numbers like his, so we expect a little less.
- −1.4ptstrack recordHis projection also weighs his past seasons, which ran below this year’s pace.
- SEAvs RBsEdgeSEA is the 7th toughest defense for running backs.
Points are what each line adds to or takes off his usual week. EdgeFrom the game around him.
Stat comparison
Every player you picked, stat by stat, most important first.
Stat
Scoring
ProjectionWalker: 19.4 (best)Swift: 17.3
TD pointsof the projectionWalker: 5.1Swift: Our estimate
Expected TDsthis weekWalker: 0.85Swift: Our estimate
Projected team pointsWalker: 20.8Swift: 21.8 (best)
Goal line carriesper gameWalker: 1.8Swift: 2.0 (best)
Red zone carriesper gameWalker: 4.5 (best)Swift: 4.0
Red zone targetsper gameWalker: 1.2 (best)Swift: 0.3
Role
Snap shareWalker: 74% (best)Swift: 62%
Usage worthptsWalker: 21.4 (best)Swift: 17.8
Touch shareWalker: 48% (best)Swift: 34%
Target shareWalker: 14% (best)Swift: 11%
Touches / gameWalker: 23.0 (best)Swift: 19.7
Targets / gameWalker: 4.5 (best)Swift: 3.6
Vacated touches this weekWalker: 0.5 (best)Swift: 0.0
High value touches / gameWalker: 6.2 (best)Swift: 6.0
Goal line carry shareWalker: 100% (best)Swift: 56%
Red zone touches / gameWalker: 5.5 (best)Swift: 4.3
Rush success rateWalker: 45% (best)Swift: 44%
Breakaway rate (20+ yd runs)Walker: 5.8% (best)Swift: 1.7%
Usage worth vs scoredWalker: Earned by usage 21.4Scored 24.6Swift: Earned by usage 17.8Scored 17.5
Rush yards / gameWalker: 116.8 (best)Swift: 68.0
Points from rushingWalker: 72%Swift: 73%
Receiving TDs vs RZ targetsWalker: AboveSwift: 2 RZ targets
WOPRWalker: 0.20 (best)Swift: 0.15
RZ target shareWalker: 23% (best)Swift: 6%
Inside 10 target shareWalker: 27% (best)Swift: 7%
Catch rateWalker: 67%Swift: 88% (best)
Rushing points / gameWalker: 17.7 pts / game (best)Swift: 12.8 pts / game
Rushing floorWalker: 12.8 pts / game (best)Swift: 8.1 pts / game
Range
FloorWalker: 14.2 (best)Swift: 11.3
CeilingWalker: 27.8 (best)Swift: 25.5
Points from TDssteadier when lowerWalker: 33%Swift: 34%
Big weeks (20+ pts)Walker: 83% (best)Swift: 30%
Dud weeks (under 8 pts)lower is betterWalker: 0% (best)Swift: 17%
SteadinessWalker: Very steady (best)±8.7 pts · 6 gamesSwift: Steady±8.1 pts
Matchup
Matchup gradevs his position · 2026, 7 gmWalker: C- (best)Swift: D+
Game scriptWalker: Expected to lead (best)Swift: Expected to trail
Opp takeaways / gamelower is betterWalker: 1.4 (best)Swift: 1.7
Defense funnelWalker: NeutralSwift: Neutral
Opp rush yds allowedWalker: 28th (soft) (best)Swift: 6th (tough)
Backfield roleWalker: LeadSwift: Lead
Opp defender outWalker: Elliss (LB)Swift: None listed
Roof / surfaceWalker: OpengrassSwift: Openturf
Rest / scheduleWalker: NormalSwift: 11 days rest
Opp paceWalker: 30th (slow)Swift: 9th (fast) (best)
Opp stuff rateWalker: 19% (best)12th (average)Swift: 22%4th (tough)
Opp yards per carry allowedWalker: 4.4 (best)25th (soft)Swift: 3.42nd (tough)
Opp pass yds allowedWalker: 17th (average) (best)Swift: 1st (tough)
Opp deep targets allowed / game1st (tough)Walker: 0.0Swift: 0.0
Opp catch rate allowedWalker: 69%3rd (tough)Swift: 86% (best)28th (soft)
Starting QBWalker: Mahomes (Active)Swift: Williams (Active)
Form
Last 3 avgWalker: 22.8 (best)Swift: 19.8
Last 5 avgWalker: 22.7 (best)Swift: 15.5
vs seasonWalker: −1.8 (Steady)Swift: +2.2 (Rising) (best)
Yards per carryWalker: 5.8 (best)Swift: 4.1
Carries / gameWalker: 20.0 (best)Swift: 16.6
Yards per route runWalker: 1.38Swift: 1.49 (best)
Receiving aDOTWalker: −0.5Swift: −1.4
Touch share trendWalker: SteadySwift: Rising
Crowd
Started in leaguesWalker: 99% (best)Swift: 91%
Nuvela position ranklower is betterWalker: RB3 (best)Swift: RB4
Yards linerushingWalker: 88.0Swift: Our estimate
Deciding on someone else?
Choose 2 to 5 players for any week.