Who Should I Start? Andy Dalton or Pat Freiermuth

Friday, October 24, 6:16 PM

Andy Dalton is making his first start of the 2025 season for the Carolina Panthers. Regular starter Bryce Young is listed as doubtful to start in Week 8 with an ankle injury. This week, Dalton faces Buffalo's run-funnel defense. The Bills have allowed 13.6 fantasy points per game to QBs over the last four weeks, which is fourth-best in the league. That number may be skewed because the Bills also rank 30th in fantasy points per game allowed to running backs in that span. The backup quarterback for Carolina started in five games for the team last season. In those outings, he registered 13 fantasy points on average, with two of those performances being under five points each. He passed for 989 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions in those starts. Compared to 2024, Dalton has better receivers, such as standout rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan, and improving second-year receiver Xavier Legette. Because the Panthers may lean on the running game, Dalton may only be an adequate QB2 to start in Superflex formats.

Saturday, October 25, 1:31 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth finally broke through for fantasy purposes in Week 7 with 111 yards and two touchdowns and will hope to stay involved in a Sunday night bout with the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay has surrendered the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, so while at least one of Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, or Darnell Washington could deliver, it is tough to predict who. It was encouraging to see Freiermuth log a 65% snap share last week, but fantasy managers would be wise to take a wait-and-see approach before inserting him into starting lineups. The fifth-year pro checks in as the TE25 in RotoBaller's Week 8 rankings.