Who Should I Start? C.J. Stroud or Ricky Pearsall

Monday, August 18, 8:49 AM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud played just two series on Saturday against Carolina, but he looked sharp, completing 6-of-8 pass attempts for 44 passing yards and a touchdown to Nico Collins. He wasn't satisfied with his preseason debut, though, expressing frustration that he missed Collins on a deep ball on the team's first possession, which ended in a punt. Stroud only played two series, but did enough to put his Texans ahead in a game they went on to win 20-3. After winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, Stroud struggled a little bit last season, throwing for 3,727 yards and 20 touchdowns but also throwing 12 interceptions. With new offensive coordinator Nick Caley taking over from Bobby Slowik, Stroud will look to bounce back and be a fantasy factor again this season. He's a QB2 with upside coming into the season, but he has the potential to be a borderline QB1 if he can return to his 2023 form with better protection than he had last year.

Saturday, August 16, 4:02 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is set to make his preseason debut after impressing at camp this offseason. The 24-year-old and 2024 first-round pick from Florida missed some early time with a hamstring tweak but is now considered one of the few starters not currently sidelined by injury. Pearsall is entering his second season, looking to build on a rookie campaign that saw him record 31 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games.