Who Should I Start? Bailey Zappe or Michael Penix Jr.

Wednesday, December 4, 12:14 PM

The Cleveland Browns announced on Wednesday that they re-signed free-agent quarterback Bailey Zappe and waived wide receiver Jaelon Darden in a corresponding move. Zappe returns to the Browns after they just cut him on Monday. Now that he's back on the 53-man active roster, he will return to a QB3 role behind starter Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson with Deshaun Watson (Achilles) out for the season. The 25-year-old former fourth-round selection by the New England Patriots in 2022 out of Western Kentucky has played in 14 NFL games (eight starts), which all came with the Patriots the last two seasons, and he's completed 63.2% of his pass attempts for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Zappe can continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Friday, December 20, 10:05 PM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will make his first career start in Week 16 against the New York Giants. The Falcons are heavy favorites in this one, but that is likely more a product of their one-two punch in the backfield of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier rather than a vote of confidence in the young signal-caller's arm. Not that Penix hasn't been on the big stage before or lacks upside; he led the Washington Huskies to the National Championship game this past January, ultimately losing to Michigan, with Atlanta subsequently taking him with the eighth overall selection in the 2024 Draft, so he's got the talent. But, while the Giants have allowed the third-highest completion percentage and have recorded a league-low two interceptions on the season, they've tallied the seventh-most sacks on the year, so Penix could be under pressure despite some things working in his favor. Hopefully the 24-year-old's receivers have quickly got accustomed to a left-hander throwing a football as well, which could make things a little more challenging than usual on Sunday. Whether it does or not, fantasy managers vying for championships who are also looking for a streaming option should look elsewhere as the former first-rounder projects as a risky, low-end QB2 in Week 16.