Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or J.J. McCarthy


Week 1 Projections

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Pts.
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TD
Rec. Rec.
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0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Deshaun Watson News

Deshaun Watson Lacking Consistency During Offseason Workouts

Thursday, June 18, 11:24 AM

The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that Cleveland Browns new head coach Todd Monken would have liked to have a starter already named going into training camp in late July, but he "wants and needs to see more" from both quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders this summer. Ultimately, Monken said he will play "whoever gives us the best chance to score, and I won't know that until we play." He wants to see more "consistency and confidence" from both Watson and Sanders in training camp than what he saw this spring. Jackson adds that it's safe to say that Watson "looked like the same player in his return from a year and a half away that he was before his two Achilles tendon injuries." Watson is healthy and threw downfield occasionally with confidence, but he "lacked consistency and too often threw into traffic." Jackson doesn't think there is much reason to want Watson to play unless he's "clearly their best option." The 30-year-old Watson has been a Pro Bowler three times (all before he came to Cleveland), but it appears he might have to thoroughly outplay Sanders to win the starting gig going into Week 1. Either way, this QB situation is one to ignore for fantasy managers, if at all possible. Whoever wins the starting job this summer probably will have a very short leash to begin the regular season.


Week 1 Projections

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

J.J. McCarthy News

Is J.J. McCarthy Worthy of Buy-Low Candidacy in Dynasty Leagues?

Monday, June 29, 12:29 PM

After missing his entire rookie season in 2024 with a knee injury, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was handed his team's starting job entering 2025. The 23-year-old missed seven games with ankle, hand, and concussion issues, and he was highly ineffective when healthy. Across his 10 starts, McCarthy completed 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. McCarthy is still very young, and he carries some dual-threat potential for fantasy managers after rushing for 181 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. He enters 2026 in a battle with veteran quarterback Kyler Murray for the Vikings QB1 role. While Minnesota has not named a starter, Murray is the presumptive favorite. Still, Murray has been highly injury-prone in his career, missing at least nine games in two out of the last three seasons. Given how far McCarthy's stock has fallen, he could be worth a buy-low dart throw for dynasty managers entering 2026.


Deshaun Watson vs. J.J. McCarthy

Still trying to decide between Watson and McCarthy? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Deshaun Watson is projected to score 0.0 points this week while J.J. McCarthy is projected to score 0.0 points.