Who Should I Start? Jake Bates or Brandon Aubrey


Week 5 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
8.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Jake Bates News

Jake Bates a Risky Kicker Option in Week 4

Friday, October 2, 5:44 PM

Three games into his 2026 season, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has connected on all three of his field goal attempts and converted all 12 of his extra point tries. While the 27-year-old has been effective so far and Detroit is averaging 31 points per game, Bates' fantasy production has been held down by the Lions' touchdown-scoring efficiency so far in 2026. In Week 4, Detroit will travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers. While the matchup profiles as a potentially high-scoring affair on paper, the weather forecast in Charlotte on Sunday currently calls for rain and some wind. If the elements are indeed a factor, fantasy managers should try to avoid Bates in Week 4.


Week 5 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
9.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Brandon Aubrey News

Brandon Aubrey A Good Volume Start Despite Accuracy Issues

Wednesday, October 7, 1:45 PM

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey missed two of his four field goal attempts in a Week 4 win over the Houston Texans. Though he was a ridiculously accurate kicker in his first season in the NFL, he's been markedly less on-point since then. He hovered around 85 percent accuracy in his second and third season as the Cowboys kicker and now sits at just under 73 percent. The Cowboys have a high-powered offense that's gotten them into scoring range with regularity this season, but Aubrey's fall-off is concerning. He managed 10 fantasy points last game and is the 14th ranked kicker by fantasy scoring in the NFL, though. And a Week 5 matchup with a hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers team could be what Aubrey needs to log a top-5 finish at his position. A more accurate day would help him do so. The Bucs have allowed 13.8 fantasy points per game to opposing kickers this season, which is the worst mark in the NFL, due largely to their pass defense being so ineffective. Aubrey is worth a start in 10 and 12-team leagues for his upside for Week 5.


Jake Bates vs. Brandon Aubrey

Still trying to decide between Bates and Aubrey? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jake Bates is projected to score 8.6 points this week while Brandon Aubrey is projected to score 9.3 points.